COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Alex Hairston broke Purdue women's soccer's all-time assists record by setting up Makela Nellams' early goal, but Maryland equalized in the final minute of the first half and got the game-winner in the 83rd minute to rally past the Boilers, 2-1, Thursday evening.
Hairston's 23rd career assist broke the tie atop the Purdue all-time assists leaderboard with Lauren Sesselmann. It marks the first new all-time record to change hands for the Boilermakers since Jessica Okoroafo eclipsed Sesselmann's goals benchmark in 2009.
Purdue (6-6-1, 2-5 Big Ten) ended its three-game scoring drought at 272 consecutive minutes, but also conceded multiple goals for only the second time in 13 games this season. The Boilermakers also suffered their first loss this year after holding the lead.
The Terrapins' Natasha Ntone-Kouo's third goal of the season in the 83rd minute proved to be the game-winner. Goalkeeper Jordan Ginther made a save on Ntone-Kouo's initial header to begin the scoring sequence, but the UMD player collected her own rebound. Ginther got a piece of the ensuing shot, but the ball got past her for the deciding goal.
Nellams scored in the third minute with a shot inside the right post from the top of the six-yard box following a right-to-left cross from Hairston. Holly Gregory connected the pass down the east sideline that set up Hairston's run to the endline from where she played the cross. The goal was the quickest scored by Purdue since Hairston found the back of the net 31 seconds after kickoff in the win at Ohio State last year. Nellams has scored both of her goals this season in Big Ten play.
Maryland equalized in the final minute of the first half when Aubrey Baker finished off a scramble on the right side of the six-yard box following a Shannon Collins free kick that was served in from 20 yards out on the left flank. Baker went around the back of teammate Cory Ryan to get her foot on the ball & flick it past Ginther. Megan Kaser had blocked the initial free kick serve, but the referee ruled that she broke the 10-yard barrier in do so, stopping the clock and awarding the Terrapins another free kick from the same spot.
Both goalkeepers made key saves about 90 seconds apart with the game still tied with 13 minutes left in regulation. Nellams stole a pass from a Maryland defender and got a 1-v-1 look against Maryland `keeper Rachelle Beanlands, who made the save. Nicole Robertson missed high after the ball caromed back out to the top of the 18-yard box.
Ginther's best save of the night came at the right post in the 79th minute on a point blank chance for Ntone-Kouo. The sophomore just got a piece of the shot to keep the game tied.
Maryland also had a dangerous free kick opportunity in the 35th minute when an attacking Terp was taken down on the outside edge of the 18-yard box in the middle of the field. Maryland took a quick touch on the free kick and Maddy Woolford was able to block the shot of Sarah Molina while serving as part of the wall the Boilers formed to defend the set piece.
Purdue had four corner kick chances in a span of about two minutes starting in the 53rd minute. The Boilermakers had touches on each of the four corners played in by Gregory but ultimately unable to capitalize.
Maddy Williams forced Maryland goalkeeper Rachelle Beanlands to make a sprawling save at the right post on shot from the top of the 18-yard box in the 16th minute.
Vanessa Korolas, Mollie Kuramoto, Mikayla Lasky, Kim Love and Gregory went the distance among the Purdue field players. Soraya Toppin-Herbert logged 46 minutes to lead the reserves.
The Boilermakers wrap up their East Coast road trip Sunday at No. 25 Rutgers, playing a nationally-ranked opponent for the fourth weekend in a row for the first time in program history.
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Screen shot from BTN2Go webcast of Hairston connecting her R-to-L cross to Nellams seconds before goal in 3rd minute pic.twitter.com/96aFbdO1O3
-- Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) October 2, 2014Screen shot from BTN2Go webcast of that big save by Ginther moments ago. Game tied 1-1 with 8:30 left in regulation pic.twitter.com/UeA9EsuHK7
-- Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) October 3, 2014