Maryland
Kent State
Terps Push Past Kent State, 1-0
8/21/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Sophomore Alex Anthony buried a first half penalty kick to lift the Maryland women's soccer team past Kent State in its season opener Friday night at Ludwig Field.
The Terrapins (1-0-0) controlled possession throughout and created most of their chances at the end of both halves. The Maryland backline did not allow a Kent State shot in the second half.
“I saw a committed group to winning tonight,” head coach Jonathan Morgan said. “We were very organized and passionate with our defending. We played some good soccer tonight. We are hoping we'll be able to collect on the opportunities we created down the road.”
After a back-and-forth start to the match, redshirt junior Gabby Galanti made a nice run down the left channel and fed a through ball to Anthony that was just out of the sophomore's reach in the 16th minute.
Galanti was once again a threat in the 31st minute, swiveling past a Golden Flashes defender on the left side of the box before getting taken down. Anthony slid the subsequent spot kick past Ashleah McDonald to make the score 1-0.
The second half started in a similar fashion to the first, but the Terps came on strong, dominating possession and creating a number of chances late in the half. In the 64th minute, Anthony turned on the end line and laid the ball back to freshman Cassie Phillips, whose shot sailed over.
Galanti created an opportunity in the 68th minute. The junior cut inside the box and fired a left-footed effort that was palmed over the crossbar by McDonald.
Junior Natasha Ntone-Kouo got in on the act in the 74th minute, hitting an ambitious volley from the top of the 18 that went wide. Senior Shannon Collins hit a corner kick that clanged off the post before senior Riley Barger hit the rebound high in the 83rd minute.
Anthony almost created two goals late in the match. The Littleton, Colo., native rounded the keeper and had a clear path at goal before a late offside call cancelled out the chance. In the 88th minute, Anthony latched onto a loose ball and beat a couple of defender in the box but was unable to get off a shot. Her lay back that followed found Barger, but the senior blasted the chance high.
Maryland's backline of Collins, senior Kayla Shea, senior Amanda Gerlitz and sophomore Madison Turner limited the Golden Flashes to just five shots. Senior Rachelle Beanlands commanded the box and was untroubled throughout.
Maryland returns to action against Navy on Sunday. Kickoff from Ludwig Field is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game will be shown live on BTN Plus.
"I saw a group committed to winning." - Head coach Jonathan Morgan discusses last night's win over Kent State. #GRIT http://t.co/2tUdeTXxcw
— Maryland W. Soccer (@MarylandWSoccer) August 22, 2015
Some video! Match winner Alex Anthony talks her PK and expectations for Sunday's contest with Navy. #GRIT http://t.co/Iu1IwNRxWR
— Maryland W. Soccer (@MarylandWSoccer) August 22, 2015
