COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Navy women's soccer came away with a hard fought 3-3 draw on the road at the University of Maryland on Thursday night. In an action-packed matchup of cross-state rivals, the Mids (1-0-2) had to battle back from an early 2-0 deficit after 15 minutes of play to pull even in the second half and for a short time lead the Terps (0-1-2) before the hosts netted the equalizer in the 78th minute at Ludwig Field.

The duo of Marlee Heaven (So., Rockville, Md.) and Alexa Riddle (Jr., Tomball, Texas) sparked Navy's second half comeback with consecutive connections resulting in goals in the 49th and 52nd minutes, respectively. Heaven's two quick scores after halftime drew the Mids even before Isabella Romano (So., Syosset, N.Y.) found the back of the net in the 75th for the then- go-ahead goal.

"Maryland came out fast, strong and confident and we sat back a little bit and we paid for it," remarked head coach Carin Gabarra. "After halftime, we regrouped and our mentality changed; we started to keep the ball for longer stretches, attack at speed and get numbers forward; that changed the game. To play with a cross-state rival like Maryland and to come from two goals down and take a lead was awesome, but we're never satisfied with a tie. We had some chances that we didn't put away so we'll learn from this experience and make sure we have a better ball movement and mentality from the start of the game."

The contest started with a significant Maryland feel to it as the host Terps controlled the action in their attacking third throughout the majority of the opening 15 minutes. Mattie Gallagher (Sr., Gilbertsville, Pa.) turned aside Maryland's first two shots on goal, including a point-blank stop in the seventh minute after the Terps cut through the box with a series of crisp passes. The hosts made their next two shots on goal count as they quickly went up 2-0 with scores at 9:05 and 14:07.

Down, but not out Navy looked to turn the tide and started making in-roads offensively as the Mids' first quality scoring chance came off an Amanda Graziano (Jr., Middlebury, Conn.) corner kick as Jenna Daunt (Sr., Haymarket, Va.) volleyed the ball further onto Tatum Kelly (Jr., Pinehurst, N.C.), who snapped a header shot high of the goal in the 16th minute. A little over six minutes later, Riddle drove up the right wing and served a dangerous cross into the box that was intercepted by Maryland's goalkeeper. The connection of Lucy Gaines (Fr., Seattle, Wash.) and Kat Healey (Sr., King George, Va.) nearly netted Navy's first score in the 42nd minute as the freshman struck a cross towards goal where Healey gained possession of the ball, spun around her defender and whipped a shot on goal.

Down 2-0, the Mids came out of the locker room following halftime focused on cutting into the Terrapins' lead. Just 3:03 into the second half, Riddle raced down the wing and curled a deep, looping cross into the six where Heaven out-leapt Maryland's keeper and headed the ball into the far side of the goal.

In what was a precursor to the rest of the stanza, the action quickly ranged from end-to-end in short order as Gallagher denied Lisa McIntyre when she stretched out and soared up to the top corner to push the shot into the crossbar at 50:15. Less than a minute later, the Mids changed the field and Graziano laid a smooth pass down to Riddle close to the sidelines. In a near mirror image of Navy's first goal, Riddle dribbled into space and curled a cross deep into the space and Heaven met the ball for a powerful header into the gaping net at 51:06.

Newly even at 2-2, the game advanced with sporadic looks at goal with Maryland tallying three of the next four shots over the ensuing 20 minutes. The Mids registered their third straight goal as Katie Herrmann (Sr., Charlotte, N.C.) and Romano worked the ball up the middle of the field before Romano squared up and ripped a shot that found the back of the net at 74:32.

Navy's lead was short-lived as Maryland recorded the equalizer less than minutes later at 77:21.

With the score tied at 3-3, the Terps registered the final five shots of the game with two finding their way on frame. Continuing to lead her team from the back, Gallagher stopped both of those Maryland attempts for her seventh and eighth saves of the game.

"We got two phenomenal goals to start the second half," commented Gabarra. "After halftime Alexa made a commitment to go forward more aggressively with the ball and she beat her man multiple times and that changed the game for us. She played excellent balls. Marlee was extremely courageous going into a crowded box, winning it and finishing with header goals. She placed her shots exceptionally well, they went exactly where she wanted.
 
"The third goal was the result of very good ball control and a precise build up; we were very patient. We cycled through, found the weakside and Bella really hit it well. Those were three very good goals."

In the 3-3 draw, Maryland outshot Navy, 17-6 with an 11-4 advantage in shots on goal. Both teams finished with four corner kicks.

With this result, Navy increases its undefeated streak against Maryland to four (1-0-3) dating back to 2018.

Next up for the Mids is a home matchup against the Ohio University Bobcats on Sunday afternoon. Kickoff at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility is scheduled for 1 p.m.