COLLEGE PARK, Md. – On a night when both offenses were displaying firepower, Maryland (3-6-2 overall) edged Villanova 6-4 in a non-conference match played here Tuesday night at Ludwig Field.
 
In his return to his native state, Branden Johns (Waldorf, Md.) scored two goals for the Wildcats while Gray Ricca and Vincent Petrera also found the back of the net. But it just wasn't enough against a Terrapins side that had an answer for every Villanova score.
 
"We were really executing and creating chances offensively," said Villanova head coach Tom Carlin, "but we just made a series of fundamental defensive mistakes that hurt us. They're a good team, they were hungry, and we've got some things to figure out defensively."
 
Villanova again played without the linchpin of its defensive back wall after senior center back and team captain Jack Bonas sat out after re-injuring himself in the second half of last Saturday's 3-3 draw with Seton Hall.
 
"It's obvious we miss Jack," Carlin said, "but we've got to find a way to be better in our own end. When you give up too many set pieces, you usually pay a price."
 
Maryland got the scoring going in the eighth minute when Kimani Stewart-Baynes pushed the Terrapins on top. Villanova answered with a goal by Petrera in the 16^th minute, who was also playing in his home state (Salisbury, Md.). Anthony Cousins Jr. picked up an assist on the score.
 
The Terps went back in front when Stefan Copeti knocked a rebound into an open net to make it 2-1. But less than three minutes later Johns picked up his first of the season to level matters at two midway through the first period. Junior Balthi Saunders and Cousins Jr. earned assists on the goal which came at 29:15.
 
It was then Maryland's turn. A corner kick created a chance in the 34^th minute that Bjarne Thiesen headed into the back of the minute to put the Terrapins on top, 3-2.
 
Ricca fired a shot into the top left corner of the net a mere two minutes later and matters were deadlocked again, this time at three. The assist on the goal was Petrera's.
 
That is where the match stood after 45 minutes.
 
Just 1:15 into the second half, Copetti scored again to put the Terrapins back on top. They added their fifth goal of the night at 58:12 to extend the advantage to 5-3.
 
Johns' second goal of the night at 73:13 cut the deficit to 5-4.
 
"BJ had a great game tonight," noted Carlin. "He had a big contingent here to watch him play and he was just terrific."
 
Though the Wildcats pressed for the equalizer, it was Maryland that notched the final goal, as Stewart-Baynes scored his second goal of the night at 88:09.
 
"We tried a few things in the second half but they didn't work as well as we would have liked," said Carlin. "Credit to Maryland. They took advantage of some of our mistakes. For us, it's on to St. John's."
 
The Wildcats host the Red Storm in BIG EAST play Saturday at 1 p.m.