The Terps were dominated by the Badgers on Sunday.
Maryland women’s soccer was completely outmatched in its penultimate match of the season Sunday, as Wisconsin had its way all day and stomped the Terps en route to a 5-0 victory.
The Badgers were firing on all cylinders early and often on Sunday, as all the game’s shots on goal were in their favor, 7-0.
Wisconsin broke the ice in the eighth minute, when Peighton Steffen notched a goal off assists from Riley Philbin and Ashley Martinez. Philbin actually whiffed on an initial shot, allowing the ball to roll right to Steffen, who rocketed it home.
Beardsley made her first save of the game in the 15th minute off a Martinez shot. At this time, play was largely dominated in Maryland’s defensive zone.
The Badgers kept the first-half momentum going in the 18th minute. This time, Erin Connolly scored on a back heel shot while looking in the other direction. The chance came off a corner that was kicked in front to Connolly by Hailey Baumann.
Maryland recorded just two shots in the half, as Lauren Wrigley missed a shot high to the right and Ava Morales missed a shot wide-right in the 44th minute.
The Badgers completely dominated the first-half action, holding possession for the vast majority of it and playing a significant amount of time in the offensive zone.
After 45 minutes, Wisconsin led the Terps in shots (11-2), shots on goal (3-0) and corners (2-0). Maryland headed into the break down two and holding little momentum heading into the second half.
The second half started similarly to how the first half went, as a corner for Wisconsin came in the first two minutes and forced a Beardsley punch-out. The Badgers continued to hold full possession and looked to hold on to keep their Big Ten Tournament hopes alive.
In the 48th minute, Maryland earned its first corner, but Wisconsin defended it perfectly and started a counter-attack. The counter-attack was ultimately stopped by Beardsley, who was well out of her net.
Everything Maryland was trying to build was easily stopped by Wisconsin, who clearly had control of the match.
In the 64th minute, the Badgers put a third goal on the board, courtesy of Maia Richters. The score went to a short video review for offside but ultimately stood. Martinez and Hailey Baumann got the assists on the goal.
In the 79th minute, Halle Johnson committed a foul in the box, giving Wisconsin a penalty kick, which was taken by Martinez. She buried the shot in the corner, as it screamed past a diving Beardsley to put the Badgers up four goals.
In the 80th minute, Beardsley made her second save of the game on an Anya Gulbrandsen shot. Wisconsin had a bevy of shots Sunday, but not many forced Beardsley to make saves.
Morales took Maryland’s third shot of the match in the 85th minute, but it was blocked. The Terps failed to register a shot on goal Sunday.
Wisconsin’s Jenna Baumann scored with three seconds remaining to hand Maryland a five-goal defeat.
After getting blown out on Sunday, Maryland has one match left in its 2024 season, which will take place on Oct. 27 at Rutgers.
Three things to know
1. Wisconsin had its way. Maryland had no answer for Wisconsin on Sunday, as the Badgers simply outplayed and outmatched the Terps in every way. Wisconsin buried five goals in the and grossly outshot the Terps, 19-3.
2. Pink not the same this Sunday. Maryland wore its pink uniforms again on Sunday, one week after claiming its first Big Ten victory in them. However, a similar result was not produced this time.
3. Historical Wisconsin win. For the first time since 2021, Wisconsin won a match by four or more goals. It was also Wisconsin’s seventh-ever victory over Maryland, making the Badgers 7-0-2 over the Terps. Sunday’s win for Wisconsin was imperative in a tight battle for Big Ten Tournament qualification.