COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Sophomore Alex Anthony scored two goals as the Maryland women's soccer team blew past Yale, 5-1, at Ludwig Field Sunday afternoon.
The Terrapins (5-3-0) unleashed 30 shots over the 90 minutes and were rarely tested defensively. Senior Sarah Molina scored the opening goal while redshirt junior Gabby Galanti and junior Hope Gouterman also tallied. Maryland was lethal on set pieces, scoring four goals off of corners.
“I'm really happy with the way we moved the ball and how we played,” head coach Jonathan Morgan said. “I thought we possessed with a purpose and attacked really well. All and all, it was a really good game. It's good for our confidence moving into conference play.”
Molina's goal was the result of Maryland's early sustained pressure. Anthony forced a save just a minute into the contest before Molina saw her own header off a Shannon Collins corner pushed away by Yale goalkeeper Rachel Ames.
Anthony was the provider on the opening tally. The sophomore received the ball with her back to goal in the box and used a short layback to set up Molina. The senior did the rest, poking the ball in off the right post.
Maryland continued to attack through Anthony, who was unable to win a 1-on-1 with Ames after a beautiful through ball from Galanti. The sophomore found the back of the net in the 33rd minute, latching onto the ball after a scramble in the box and nudging it into the back of the set.
Just 1:38 later, Galanti scored beautiful goal, catching the keeper off her line with a 25-yard chip from the left side to the far post. It was Galanti's first goal of the season. Junior Lisa Bianchini and senior Erika Joab both notched solid outside strikes late in the half, but the Terps settled with a 3-0 lead at the break.
Anthony and freshman Cassie Phillips both had early second half opportunities before Yale got on the board in the 55th minute. Sofia Griff finished from just outside the box to make it a 3-1 game.
After working over the Yale penalty area throughout the half, Anthony scored again in the 70th minute. Collins sent in a corner that Ames knocked right into the path of Anthony, who chipped the ball in from close range.
Gouterman got into the act in the 79th minute. The junior corralled an attempt clearance from a corner and fired a right-footed shot that settled just inside the near post. The goal was the first of Gouterman's career.
Senior goalkeeper Rachelle Beanlands notched three saves in a half of action before sophomore Rachel Egyed replaced her in the second half.
Maryland returns to action Friday night in its Big Ten opener against Rutgers. Kickoff from Ludwig Field is scheduled for 7 p.m.
-Terps-
Alex Anthony
Jonathan Morgan
