Terrapins's newcomers lead them past No. 13 Boston College, 3-1 in Big 10-ACC Invitational

In the first of two Big 10/ACC Cup matchups, Maryland continued their impressive start to the season with a 3-1 win over No. 13 Boston College.

Contending away from home for the first time this season, the No. 2 Terps (3-0) depth and versatility were on full display as impactful plays were made from a variety of players. The Terps goals were scored by newcomers, freshman forward Emma DeBerdine and sophomore midfielder Linda Cobano.

Though anticipated, the Eagles presented a tough challenge for Maryland, one that they had not faced in their two previous matchups. The Terps only took 14 shots in the game, in comparison to the 22.5 shots they averaged in their first two contests against Richmond and New Hampshire, respectively. 

The game’s first goal came with just under 3 minutes left in the first quarter after a deflection from Eagles’ goaltender, which Maryland midfielder Madison Maguire stopped-- and seemingly had all the time in the world to lift the ball past Boston College defenders into the net. 

Shortly after Maguire’s goal, Eagles’ forward Jamie Natale scored the equalizer on a deflected penalty shot. 

With just under five minutes left in the half, a pair of freshmen collaborated on the Terps’ second goal. Midfielder Belle Bressler chipped a pass to forward Emma DeBerdine, whose shot was deflected but found its way over Boston College’s keeper and into the net.

The goal netted Bressler and DeBerdine a pair of firsts of their collegiate careers; the first assist for Bressler and the first goal for DeBerdine. 

Emma is the younger sister of Maryland midfielder Brooke DeBerdine. The duo have been a much needed one-two-punch for the Terps as they have had their hands in many goal-scoring opportunities within the first three games.

With the 2-1 lead going into the second half, Maryland found themselves in a defensive battle for the majority of the second half. 

Forward Cobano broke the scoring drought late in the fourth quarter. With just over six minutes left in the game, the sophomore, in her first game eligible, scored on a penalty shot by slapping the ball over Eagles’ defenders into the upper-right corner for the goal.

The Terps will continue in the ACC/Big 10 Cup on Sunday, facing off against another former ACC rival, No. 3 Duke.