Maryland women’s soccer got out to a first half lead, but faltered early in the second half and allowed Towson to tie the match.
That 1-1 score held for the remainder of the second half, resulting in Maryland’s third draw of the season. Both the Terps and Towson move to 2-2-3 in 2024.
After Maryland blew its last match against George Mason, the Terps looked to start strong. While the attempt was clear, they found no luck, having two shots blocked and one miss early on.
Maryland scored on its first shot on net in the 22nd minute to break the ice. The net-finder was Taryn Raibon, who notched her second goal in as many matches on a right-foot boot to the bottom of the net.
Kennedy Bell earned the assist after sending a perfect pass to Raibon around every Towson defender for an easy tap in. The only Tiger defender in the area was on the other side of Raibon, and she could not catch up to the pass soon enough.
Towson picked up the pressure after Raibon’s goal, adding a plethora of shot attempts. Beardsley made two saves on Demi Pierre to preserve Maryland’s lead.
The first half ended with the Terps up one goal, but Maryland didn’t get many chances in the final 23 minutes of the half after their goal. That being said, the Raibon score loomed large in Maryland’s attempt to bounce back.
In the first half, shots were tied 5-5, shots on net were 2-1 for Towson and corners were 3-0 Maryland.
Towson tied it up early on in the second half to kill all of Maryland’s first half momentum.
Sophie Thibeault scored on a right-foot shot that was assisted by Brooke Birrell and Pierre. Birrell crossed the ball in front and Thibeault knocked it home despite Maryland’s tight defense. Brooke Tracey went for the ball, but was unable to stop the shot as Thibeault got it past Beardsley. It was her fourth goal of the season.
Emily Lenhard almost got the Terps back on top with a free kick, but she missed the shot and sailed it over the net.
Towson got the next shot attempt 10 minutes later as play slowed down after the tying goal. That was until the 62nd minute, when the Terps got a corner; however, it only turned into a goal kick by Riley Melendez. Melendez had not made a save to that point as Maryland’s only shot on goal was the one that found the back of the net.
The Terps got their second shot on net in the 74th minute. Lauren Wrigley took a try to the top of the net that was saved by Melendez again. Maryland began to push the pace, as Madison Krakower took a shot that was blocked.
The final 15 minutes had very little action. Each team got just one shot off, but both were off target, leaving the game in a 1-1 draw.
Three things to know
1. Two goals in the last two game for Raibon. The freshman defender has been a mainstay on the scoresheet over the past two matches. After scoring her first career goal on Sunday night, Raibon notched another against Towson.
2. Bad start to the second half. After Maryland built a one-goal lead in the first half, the Tigers knotted the score just three minutes into the second frame. Birrell crossed in front for Thibeault, avoiding Tracey’s defense to tie things.
3. Another draw. Maryland women’s drew for the third time in 2024. It was another evenly played match, too. However, despite having a first half lead, the Terps were unable to pull out the victory.
