DALLAS – Second half goals from sophomores Madison Turner and Alex Anthony lifted the Maryland women’s soccer team past SMU, 2-1, at Wescott Field Sunday afternoon.
The Terrapins (4-2-0) fell behind in the middle of the first half, but used a dominant second period to pick up the victory. It’s Maryland first win after trailing at halftime since Aug. 26 2013 against Villanova.
“I’m really proud of our group today,” head coach Jonathan Morgan said. “ We left TCU disappointed with how we performed and I think our commitment today was the difference between winning and losing. This was a great team win.”
Maryland found some success in the first half before SMU’s opening tally. Junior Natasha Ntone-Kouo split a pair of defenders on the end line, but her subsequent service was snuffed out. Freshman Cassie Phillips then fired wide in the 20th minute.
The Mustangs got on the board in the 23rd minute. Paige Jacobs took a one-time shot off a cross and buried it to give the home side a 1-0 lead.
Shots from senior Riley Barger and Turner late in the half forced saves from SMU keeper Shannon Moroney, but Maryland trailed 1-0 after 45 minutes.
Maryland took the game over in the second half with goals over the span of 1:21. In the 57th minute, Turner equalized before Anthony turned in a Shannon Collins corner from five yards out to give the Terps a 2-1 lead.
The tally was the first of Turner’s career and Anthony’s goal was her fourth in the first six games. Collins now has 16 career assists, good enough for t-11 on Maryland’s all-time list.
After the goals, Maryland’s backline stifled the SMU attack and allowed just one shot on goal in the second half. Senior goalkeeper Rachelle Beanlands made two saves in the match. The Canadian now stands alone at third in program history in starts by a goalkeeper.
Maryland returns home for a Thursday clash with James Madison. Action is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., and the match will be streamed live on BTN2Go via BTN Plus.
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