Wildcat Rally Falls Short at Maryland

10/7/2018 3:24:00 PM | Women's Soccer

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COLLEGE PARK, Md. – No. 14 Northwestern could not overcome a first half deficit despite a late rally in a 2-1 defeat to Maryland on the road on Sunday.

Senior Brenna Lovera scored the lone goal for the Wildcats, her sixth of the season and 17th of her career. She moved into a tie for tenth place on the Wildcat all-time goals list with Jenny Dunn who played from 2005-08.

Senior Marisa Viggiano assisted the goal with a pinpoint cross for her fourth assist of the season and the 19th of her career, leaving her one short of second place on the NU all-time assist list.

Northwestern moved to 8-4-2 on the season and a 2-4-1 record in the Big Ten.

The Wildcats amassed a season-high 21 shots and a season-high nine shots on goal. It was the most shots in a game for Northwestern since taking 25 against Illinois State on Sept. 8, 2016.

Northwestern started the game with some high pressure, but was left vulnerable in back on the counter. Jarena Harmon found herself one-on-one with a defender and arced a shot from the edge the box into the net to make it 1-0.

The #B1GCats responded with even more pressure to try and tie the game up, forcing two saves out of Maryland keeper Rachel Egyed. Michele Chernesky had a curler from over 30 yards out that nearly nestled into the top corner but Egyed just palmed it over. Maryland capitalized on its next counterattack in the 34th minute and finished from a tight angle to make it 2-0.

The 'Cats came out of the second half pressing hard and eventually found the ball on the left hand side in the 54th minute. Viggiano dribbled towards the end line and curled in a ball to the near post that Lovera headed home with authority to make it 2-1.

Despite chance after chance, the Wildcats never found an equalizer in the remainder of the half. Viggiano rasped a shot in the 73rd minute that Egyed barely tipped over, and the 'Cats forced three more saves out of her before all was said and done.

Chicago's Big Ten Team returns home for a crucial homestand starting with matchups against Indiana on Thursday, Oct. 11 and Purdue on Sunday, Oct. 14.

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