Hernandez's OT Goal Pushes Michigan Past Maryland, to B1G Tournament Home Match

Sunday, October 24

Ann Arbor, Mich.

Noon

Michigan

12-3-3, 6-2-2

Maryland

4-9-5, 0-7-3

Maryland

Michigan

Nicki Hernandez (Michigan Photography)

Hernandez's OT Goal Pushes Michigan Past Maryland, to B1G Tournament Home Match

10/24/2021 3:23:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score PDF Boxscore

By: Scott Kemps

» Nicki Hernandez netted the match-winner on a shot from a tough angle on the left flank 30 seconds into overtime to give Michigan a 2-1 win over Maryland.
» U-M outshot the Terrapins 28-11, hit the post four times and was flagged for offsides eight times.
» The victory locks up a home match for the Wolverines in the Big Ten Tournament next Sunday (Oct. 31).

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Stadium)
Score: Michigan 2, Maryland 1 (OT)
Records: U-M (12-3-3, 6-3-2 B1G), Maryland (4-9-5, 0-7-3 B1G)
Attendance: 1,140
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Oct. 31 -- vs. TBD - Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals (U-M Soccer Stadium), TBA

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- A goal from senior Nicki Hernandez 30 seconds into overtime lifted the University of Michigan women's soccer team to a 2-1 win over Maryland in the regular-season finale Sunday (Oct. 24) at U-M Soccer Stadium. The win locks up a host site match for the upcoming Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals.

The match-winner came in the 91st minute. A tic-tac-toe sequence began with senior Skylar Anderson playing a ball to sophomore Sammi Woods in a central position. Her pass connected with Hernandez on the left flank, and she sent a bullet of a ball just outside the 18 that beat Maryland goalkeeper Liz Brucia.

Maryland (4-9-5, 0-7-3 Big Ten) caught Michigan (12-4-3, 6-3-2 Big Ten) on its heels early with a smattering of chances, but the Wolverines took control of much of the ball and the flow of the match following the early Terrapin push.

In the 27th minute, Hernandez found space inside the 18 and used a bounding header off a service from sophomore Sarah Bridenstine that rattled off the crossbar

Leading 7-3 in shots, U-M broke through in the 30th minute. Center back Alia Martin intercepted a Terrapin pass in the middle of the field and fed Raleigh Loughman at the top-right of the six-yard box. Loughman's touch was flicked over the Terrapin goalkeeper, who was off her line, into the back of the net to give U-M a 1-0 lead and Loughman's team-best seventh goal of the season.

Senior Meredith Haakenson then had two chances to close the half, the first coming in the 32nd minute on a side-volley from 20 yards out that hit the crossbar. Minutes later, she headed a cross-field service that hit the left post. Later in the stanza, she had another chance that was saved for three opportunities in the opening half.

U-M started the second half slow, as Maryland came out of the locker room with a spark. Emily McNesby threaded a ball to Mikalya Dayes who slotted a ball home lower-right to level the match in the 47th minute.

Knotted at 1, the Wolverines had a golden chance in the 64th minute, as Haakenson sent a through ball to classmate Sarah Stratigakis on the near side. She played a low service in that was tipped out by the Maryland goalkeeper, and the ball found Woods. The ensuing effort was struck well but cleared off the line by a Terrapin defender.

U-M outpaced the Terps in the shot category 7-2 through the rest of the regulation but was unable to take the lead. At the end of regulation, U-M held a 27-11 shot advantage, while Hillary Beall stopped two of the three Maryland shots she faced.

Tweet of the Match

FT: Michigan 2, Maryland 1 (OT)

93' | GOAL!!!

What a strike from Hernandez!

2:1
#GoBlue? | #InPursuit pic.twitter.com/ySqjTpEzuT
— Michigan Women's Soccer (@umichwsoccer) October 24, 2021

With the regular season concluded, U-M has clinched a berth into the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals next Sunday (Oct. 31). The opponent, match time and broadcast designation for the match at U-M Soccer Stadium all are to be determined.