Missouri soccer falls to Maryland 3-2
After the season opener Friday against Belmont was declared a no-contest due to weather, the Missouri Tigers soccer team took to the road to play the No. 16 Maryland Terrapins on Sunday morning. After taking an early lead, the Tigers succumbed to the Terrapins' consistent pressure and were defeated 3-2.
Freshman midfielder Dominique Richardson gave the Tigers the advantage in the sixth minute with a floater from 25 yards out. The score was Richardson's first career collegiate goal and placed all momentum firmly in Missouri's hands.
But behind junior forward Jasmyne Spencer, the Terrapins fought their way back into the game. Spencer nearly tied the game in the 13th minute when she sprinted down the field and lofted a cross into the box that none of her teammates connected on. Although she didn't score, Spencer was a threat all game long, firing 10 shots and five on goal. Maryland finally knotted things up in the 36th minute when junior Sade Ayinde headed a corner from sophomore Olivia Wagner into the left side of the Tiger net.
The Terps added two more unanswered goals in the second half. Sophomore Tiger goalkeeper Jessica Gwin made the initial save off of a penalty kick, but seconds later Terps junior Amy O'Sullivan deposited the ball into the net from 15 yards out. Maryland's Ashley Grove scored the game-winner in the 71st minute, slipping the ball past a charging Gwin. Senior captain Alysha Bonnick scored for the Tigers with 13 minutes left to play, but the Terps locked down defensively to close out the game.
While Missouri coach Bryan Blitz has to be impressed with his team's comeback, the amount of fouls from his players has to be concerning. Missouri had more fouls (11) than shots (8), and the penalty kick in the second half turned out to be costly. The Tigers should look to improve their discipline over the next few weeks.
Despite the loss, there were plenty of positives for the Tigers to take out of their first game. The freshman class shined again today, as Richardson scored her first goal, and forward Danielle Nottingham assisted on the play. Gwin looked solid in net with seven saves off ten shots on goal. The Tigers also showed an ability to rally late in the game with consistent pressure.
Missouri will now start preparing for the North Carolina Nike Classic in Chapel Hill, N.C., where they will face Duke and No. 1 ranked North Carolina next weekend.