Terps shutout by Iowa, 2-0

Despite allowing two goals, sophomore Rachel Egyed was the one real bright spot for Maryland against Iowa, keeping the Terps in the game with six saves.

With a 2-0 shutout by the Iowa Hawkeyes, the Maryland women’s soccer team extended their scoreless streak to 461 minutes over the past five-plus games.

The always calm Ray Leone did not seem visibly frustrated with the team’s play, but explained that is probably is snowballing them. “It’s just an incredible experience to be 0-fer on all of these games in a row and it’s just weighing on the team,” he said. “They are probably trying too hard. The shots aren’t free, the services aren’t good enough; I don’t know what it is, but I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s not fun.”

It was set to be a sloppy game with the pouring down rain right up until game time, creating a very wet and slick field. It took both teams time to become acclimated to the field. Obviously the Hawkeyes adapted to the conditions better, controlling both the offensive opportunities and the tempo of the game.

The Hawkeyes broke the scoreless draw just 25 minutes into the first half. The play started with midfielder Karly Stuenkel, making a pass from the top of the box to forward Bri Toelle. She was then able to get a shot past Madison Turner and goalie Rachel Egyed and between the posts.

The Maryland offense was inconsistent the entire game, only getting a few good shots every few minutes. Many opportunities were either well defended by Iowa or were shots wide of the goal. With eight minutes remaining in the first half, Chelsea Jackson had the best opportunity for the Terps. Midfielder Darby Moore took a shot on goal from outside the box. Right before the ball reached the Iowa goalie, Jackson got her foot on the ball, but the re-direction went just wide of the goal.

In the final minutes of the second half, the Hawkeyes increased the lead to spur a Terrapins comeback. After a turnover in the Terps defensive zone, Iowa forward Jenna Kentgen made a quick touch-pass to Stuenkel. She had a one-on-one opportunity with Egyed, with three Maryland defenders chasing. She took a soft shot on goal and the ball went between Egyed’s legs for a 2-0 Iowa lead.

Even though she allowed two goals, Egyed was the one bright spot for the Terps. She made many spectacular saves that kept Maryland in the game.

“She is just tough, courageous, she’s getting better. She’s got a good chemistry with the back line. She’s not even the game player as the beginning of the year,” Leone said. The improvements have solidified the sophomore’s position as the starting goalkeeper as she earned her fifth-straight start after beginning the year in a time-share.

But the Terps need more than just Egyed to step up. Early scoring success with Jarena Harmon and Chelsea Jackson hasn’t carried through into conference play as the team dropped to 3-14-1 on the year and 1-9 in big Ten play. There is no quick fix either. Leon explained the team just has to continue pushing forward, getting experience and work to score more.

“[The team is] trying as hard as they can, so we have to finished the job/season in a professional way,” he said. “That’s what my message was to them. ‘We have no other choice. Get on a plane, go to Minnesota and play as hard as you possibly can.’”

Maryland will look to end their five-game scoreless streak and eight-game losing streak as they take on No. 13 Minnesota on Wednesday in their final game of the season.

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Corey Johns

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You could say Corey was born to become a sports journalist. His father won a national championship coaching college soccer. His mother is a baseball fanatic who hasn't missed seeing an Orioles game since 1983 (literally, sometimes it's annoying). His great uncle was a big-time boxing promoter and his maternal grandfather was once a department head at the Baltimore Sun. Basically, sports and journalism run through his blood. He played just about every little league sports there was when he was a kid and was a multi-sport athlete in high school; even playing in the first-ever high school sanction Rugby game in the country. Eventually he retired from sports as an undefeated Maryland state Rugby champion as a high school senior. Perhaps lack of athletic talent has more to do with the retirement, but he will tell you that it more had to do with a great desire to jump right into media. Upon his graduation from University of Maryland, Baltimore County as a triple communications major, Corey started the So Much Sports network and has continued to grow his websites and continues to work to make them premier sports media outlets.

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