Maryland Women’s Soccer Earns First Big Ten Victory With 2-1 Win Over Northwestern
By Brian Hradsky | Maryland Sports Blog October 12, 2026
The Maryland Terrapins women’s soccer team earned its first Big Ten Conference victory of the 2026 season Sunday afternoon, defeating the Northwestern Wildcats 2-1 at Ludwig Field in College Park. Lilly Bane and Lisa McIntyre scored their first goals of the season, while goalkeeper Faith Luckey delivered seven saves to preserve the victory. The Terrapins improved to 4-8-2 overall and 1-6-1 in conference play, ending a frustrating stretch without a Big Ten victory.
Maryland entered Sunday’s matchup searching for an offensive breakthrough after failing to score in its previous seven matches. The Terrapins had battled Nebraska to a scoreless draw Thursday but had struggled to generate consistent scoring opportunities throughout conference play. Against Northwestern, Maryland wasted little time establishing an offensive presence, producing one of the fastest goals in program history.
Bane Gives Maryland a Dream Start
Just 31 seconds into the contest, Bane connected on a cross from Jolie Farmer and sent the ball into the net to give Maryland a 1-0 advantage. The goal marked Bane’s first as a Terrapin and ended Maryland’s lengthy scoring drought, which dated to its September 6 victory over Binghamton. It was also Maryland’s fastest goal since Alex Anthony scored just 13 seconds into a 2015 contest against Navy.
The early breakthrough gave Maryland confidence as the Terrapins controlled much of the opening stretch. Maryland registered four of the first five shots, forcing Northwestern to defend against an aggressive offensive approach. Meanwhile, Luckey provided stability in goal, making several important stops to protect the narrow advantage. Her five first-half saves helped Maryland carry a 1-0 lead into halftime.
McIntyre Extends the Lead in Second Half
Maryland continued attacking after halftime, with Mckinley Heaven creating scoring opportunities in the 50th and 57th minutes. Those efforts helped maintain pressure on Northwestern’s defense as the Terrapins searched for an insurance goal. Their persistence paid off in the 58th minute when McIntyre capitalized on a corner-kick opportunity to double Maryland’s advantage.
After Northwestern initially cleared the corner, McIntyre connected on a volley and curled the ball into the upper corner of the net. Bane received an assist on the play, completing a productive afternoon with one goal and one assist. The goal gave Maryland its first two-goal performance since its September 6 victory over Binghamton and put the Terrapins in position to secure their first conference win.
Northwestern Responds, but Maryland Holds On
Northwestern refused to go away quietly, cutting Maryland’s lead to 2-1 in the 69th minute. Holland Carey scored from distance off an assist from Alex Fallon, giving the Wildcats renewed momentum. The goal increased the pressure on Maryland’s defense, particularly as Northwestern continued generating opportunities during the final 20 minutes.
The Wildcats earned consecutive corner kicks as they searched for the equalizer, but Maryland successfully defended both opportunities. Luckey made her seventh save in the 84th minute, preventing Northwestern from tying the match. The Terrapins survived the remaining pressure and secured their second victory over Northwestern in nine all-time meetings.
Maryland’s Defense Delivers
Although Maryland’s offensive improvement attracted attention, Luckey’s performance was equally important in securing the victory. Northwestern finished with 14 shots, including eight on goal, while Maryland recorded 12 shots and six attempts on target. Luckey’s seven saves helped offset Northwestern’s slight advantage in total shooting opportunities.
Maryland also demonstrated improvement in its ability to defend set pieces during critical moments. Northwestern earned seven corner kicks, but the Terrapins prevented those opportunities from producing a tying goal. Maryland generated nine corners of its own, including the sequence that led to McIntyre’s eventual game-winning goal. The combination of timely finishing and disciplined defensive play proved decisive.
Maryland vs. Northwestern: Final Statistics
| Statistic | Maryland | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 2 | 1 |
| Total shots | 12 | 14 |
| Shots on goal | 6 | 8 |
| Saves | 7 | 4 |
| Corner kicks | 9 | 7 |
| Fouls | 5 | 2 |
Source: University of Maryland Athletics official box score.
Looking Ahead
Maryland will conclude its 2026 home schedule Friday, October 16, when the Terrapins host Iowa at Ludwig Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., with the match available on B1G+. The Terrapins will look to build on their two-match unbeaten streak after earning a draw against Nebraska and defeating Northwestern.
Following the Iowa contest, Maryland will finish its regular season with road matches against Michigan, Michigan State and Rutgers. The Terrapins still face a difficult challenge in conference play, but Sunday’s victory provided evidence that their offense can produce against Big Ten competition. Building on that performance will be important as Maryland approaches the final stretch of its season.
MSB Take
Maryland’s victory over Northwestern was an important step forward for a program that has experienced significant offensive difficulties throughout conference play. After seven consecutive scoreless matches, seeing Bane find the net just 31 seconds into the contest was exactly the type of breakthrough the Terrapins needed. McIntyre’s second-half goal demonstrated that Maryland can capitalize on set pieces, while Luckey continued providing dependable goalkeeping.
The challenge now is turning one encouraging performance into sustained improvement. Maryland cannot expect to win consistently while allowing opponents to generate more shots on goal, even with Luckey performing at a high level. However, the Terrapins showed determination, improved attacking execution and the ability to protect a late lead against a conference opponent. Sunday’s victory may not erase the struggles of the season, but it gives Maryland something positive to build upon heading into its final four regular-season matches.
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Category: Maryland Terrapins / Women’s Soccer
Tags: Maryland Terrapins, Maryland Women’s Soccer, Northwestern Wildcats, Big Ten Women’s Soccer, Lilly Bane, Lisa McIntyre, Faith Luckey, Jolie Farmer, Ludwig Field, Maryland Sports Blog
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Featured image alt text: Maryland Terrapins women’s soccer defeats Northwestern Wildcats 2-1 on October 11, 2026, for its first Big Ten victory of the season.
Sources: Maryland Athletics · Northwestern Athletics · WMUC Sports · Testudo Times
