April 9, 2008
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
The University of Marlyand women's soccer team started its spring season with a pair of 2-1 victories over local opponents George Washington and Georgetown. Both games took place at Ludwig Field in College Park, Md. Most recently, the Terps traveled to Piscataway, N.J., and earned a 0-0 tie with the Knights.
The Terps' first win came on Sunday, March 30, against the Colonials of George Washington. Redshirt junior midfielder Nataly Arias scored two goals in the final 12 minutes, including the game-winner with just 25 seconds remaining. After George Washington scored the game's first goal with 15 minutes remaining, freshman Annesia Faulkner held off two Colonial defenders and struck a ball that appeared headed for just inside the far post. GW's goalkeeper made the initial save, but could not corral the loose ball as Arias beat her to the punch and slammed home the game-tying goal. With the final seconds ticking away, freshman Caitlin McDowell beat her defender off the dribble, and served in a spectacular left-footed ball that Arias redirected with her head just inside the back post to seal the victory.
Five days later Maryland took on a Georgetown squad that earned a bid to the 2007 NCAA Tournament. The Terps didn't waste much time getting on the scoreboard as junior Kaila Sciascia slipped a wonderful pass behind the Hoya defense to freshman Lydia Hastings. Hastings' first touch managed to cut-off the Georgetown defender, and she calmly struck the ball into the back of the net just two minutes into the game. The Terps had two golden opportunities just moments later, but Faulkner's bid went just wide of the net, and the Georgetown goalkeeper smothered another Hastings' attempt at goal.
The score remained 1-0 until the 60th minute when freshman Colleen Deegan served a free kick onto the head of sophomore Mary Casey, whose flick smacked off the crossbar. Junior Aime Bresani ran onto the loose ball a converted an acrobatic side-volley, striking the ball out of the air at head height.
Georgetown cut the Terrapins' 2-0 lead in half with 17 minutes remaining, but it was too little too late as Yewande Balogun and her back line of Amanda Paizs, Mary Casey, Chelsea Sprague and Deegan preserved the victory.
The Terps' BIG EAST weekend continued on Sunday, April 6, as they traveled to Rutgers to take on the Scarlet Knights. Maryland out-possessed Rutgers for much of the game, but were not able to convert on any its scoring opportunities. Freshman Olivia Onyeador was very effective in keeping the ball for the Terps, starting in her new role as defensive center-midfield.
The Terps are back in action this Saturday, April 12, when they host Penn at Ludwig Field at 3 p.m. This past fall, Penn won the Ivy League and advanced to the NCAA Tournament before falling to James Madison.
