Early goals doom Clemson women's soccer in 2-1 loss to No. 11 Maryland

The Clemson women’s soccer team probably deserved better in its 2-1 loss to 11th-ranked Maryland Thursday night at Riggs Field.

But coach Eddie Radwanskli says that in a way, the Tigers mainly have themselves to blame.

“We cannot come out and concede a goal in the first two minutes of the game,” said Radwanski, whose Tigers fell to 5-6 overall and 0-4 in the ACC. “We have to be better than that. We gave up two goals tonight, and you cannot do that in this league.”

Clemson controlled possession for long stretches of the match, out-shot the Terps 17-6, and had a 9-5 edge in corner kicks.

But it was nevertheless the Tigers who did the chasing after Maryland broke on top 1-0 less than two minutes into the match when Danielle Hubka took a pass from Haley Brock and beat goalkeeper Morgan Hert from 20 yards.

The Terps added to their lead in the 22nd minute by seizing on a Clemson giveaway in back, as Jasmyn Spencer intercepted a ball misplayed by a Tiger defender and scored with a shot from 10 yards.

Clemson got a goal back in the 34th minute when freshman forward Liska Dobberstein took a pass from Rachel Hurd deep in the box and scored from close range. It was her sixth goal of the season.

The 2-1 score stood as the final, as Maryland absorbed Clemson’s second-half pressure and turned away six on-target shots by the Tigers. Clemson’s Hert was required to make just one save.

With the victory, Maryland improved to 8-2-3 overall and 2-2-1 in the ACC.

“The one positive I will take from this game is that there were a few long stretches where we played very competitively,” said Radwanski. “Now we have to start thinking about Boston College. We have to regroup and get ready to play on Sunday, because they will be well rested. There are no easy games in this league, and we have to come out ready to compete in every game.”

The Sunday match between the Tigers and Eagles will begin at 1 p.m. at Riggs Field.

Maryland 2, Clemson 1

Maryland – Hubka (from Brock) 1:55

Maryland – Spencer (unassisted) 22:00

Clemson – Dobberstein (from Hurd) 33:52

Saves – Hert (CU) 1, Balogun (UM) 6

Shots – Clemson 17, Maryland 6

Corner Kicks – Clemson 9, Maryland 5

Fouls – Clemson 8, Maryland 3