GAINESVILLE, FL - The Terrapins traveled to the Sunshine State to take on the Florida Gators on Sunday evening and suffered their first loss of the season in a narrow 1-0 defeat.

Florida's Lena Bailey scored the lone goal of the game in the 41st minute, the first goal Maryland allowed this season in nearly 135 minutes of action, and the Terps were not able to find one of their own. Maryland goalkeeper Liz Beardsley made three saves, all in the first half.

Maryland now sits at 0-1-1 on the season while Florida improves to 2-0-0. 

The Terps will head back to College Park to prepare for their home opener against Navy on Thursday, Aug. 24.

Breaking Down the Action

• Five minutes into the match, Kat Parris got a chance on goal, but the shot was stopped by the keeper to keep the game scoreless
• Later in the 21st minute, Florida put a header on goal that was cleaned up by Terps keeper Liz Beardsley
• Isabel DiPrima got a shot on goal later in the first half that again was stopped by the florida goalkeeper.
• The deadlock was broken in the 41st minute on a goal by Florida, who took a 1-0 lead into the break.
• The two teams combined for just one shot taken in the first 35 minutes of the second half as both defenses locked down. 
• Lauren Wrigley took two shots, the first of which required the Florida keeper to make a save, in the 88th minute, but the Terps were unable to find an equalizer. 

Urban Makes Return to Florida

• Terrapins defender Sydney Urban began her collegiate career at Florida, where she was a member of the Gators defense during the 2020-21 season. 
• In her return to Gainesville, Urban started and played 29 minutes.

Coach Nemzer's Take
"I was happy about the team's performance on the day, but obviously we need to put the ball in the back of the net. To miss that open net in the last 90 seconds of the match was a little bit of a dagger for us. But we are creating opportunities and we got to put them in the back of the net. I thought that we were sharp for the majority of the game. One moment we fell a sleep and credit to them they got us on that throw in. As far as playing soccer, building relationships, playing out of the back, I was extremely happy with tonight. I am obviously not happy with the result, but if this is where we are going with game number two with 24 new faces I'm really excited about the future of Maryland Soccer."

Katie Coyle on How the Back Line Stayed Connected
"I think a lot of the game we spent a lot of time trying to pass on energy. Obviously today was a tough game, and it was important to stay connected and work hard in the back line. We really focused on passing on energy when we need it and giving 100% of what we have during the whole game."

Up Next

• The Terps host Navy on August 24 in their 2023 home opener. The game will air on Big Ten Network Plus.
• The two teams met last season in Annapolis, Maryland, with the teams playing to a 1-1 draw.