COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Mikayla Dayes scored the game-winner and assisted on Alyssa Poarch's first half goal as Maryland clinched a 2-1 season-opening win over Georgia Southern Thusday evening. The Terps had the upper hand for most of the game at Ludwig Field, outshooting the Eagles 20-4 to secure their third straight season-opening win.  

Alyssa Poarch wasted no time getting things going in her 2019 debut, scoring less than two minutes into the match. After Mikayla Dayes dispossessed an Eagles defender in Maryland's offensive end, she found an open Poarch in the middle of the box.

Poarch took one touch and slotted the goal past the Georgia Southern keeper in the right corner of the net to give the Terps a quick 1-0 lead.

Maryland dominated possession and continued to press early in the first half, but couldn't put away several chances to extend its advantage. The Terrapin defense did well to negate any danger for most of the half, until late in the period when the Eagles crossed a ball into the box.

A failed clear turned into an own goal for the Eagles, and the teams stayed knotted at one heading into the second.

Maryland had to fight off some early Georgia Southern opportunities in the second half, and eventually turned the tides to begin pressuring again.

Dayes finally broke through for the Terps in the 73^rd minute, working back from her forward position to pick off an Eagle pass. She took it down the center of the pitch herself, fighting off a jersey tug from a defender to score into the left side of the cage.

Shortly after, the field was evacuated for a 35-minute weather delay, before both sides returned to finish the final 12 minutes. The Terps had a handful of chances to extend the lead, but ultimately sealed the one-goal victory.

Maryland is back in action on Sunday to host NJIT at Ludwig Field. Kickoff is slated for 2:00 pm.

-Terps-