COLLEGE PARK, Md. --- In its first road game of the season, the NJIT women's soccer team pushed the Maryland Terrapins to the brink on their home field before conceding a goal in the 104th minute in a 1-0 double overtime loss Sunday afternoon at Ludwig Field.

"Our staff is so proud of the effort in today's performance. It would have been nice to get the result but playing a Big Ten opponent to double overtime shows that we are more than capable of playing at that level every game," head coach Ally Nick said after the game. "This is a special group and once we can start executing more consistently, we will do more than all of our teams that have come before them. Our focus now is to get our first win of the season."

For 90 minutes of regulation and the majority of extra time, the Highlanders (0-1-1) held their own against their Power 5 counterparts from the Big Ten. Time and time again, NJIT made great defensive plays to stymie Maryland's offensive momentum, battled for loose balls and 50-50 plays, and stopped Terrapin shots to keep themselves in the game.

Jessica Aseng posted the first multi-shot game of the season for NJIT, taking two of the team's five chances at goal, while Alexis Magruder's only shot (74') forced Maryland (2-0) to make its lone save of the contest.

In the second start of her career, Molly Saylor played another 103-plus minutes of action and made seven stops. Saylor's most impressive save came in the 98th minute as she knocked down and corralled a Maryland chance from point-blank range inside the box.

Saylor did not need to make more saves due to the defensive efforts of Siani Magruder, Emily Heckman and the collective work of the Highlander midfield and back line.

NJIT was poised to head to Newark with a second straight draw to open the year but Maryland snuck its game-winner past Saylor off a corner kick with 6:04 left in the game.

NEXT UP
NJIT will travel to Philadelphia on Thursday, August 29 for a matchup against La Salle. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.