Maryland women’s soccer and Michigan boast the two bottom defenses in the Big Ten in goals allowed. That was evident on Thursday.
The Terps matched a season-high with four goals conceded and lost to the Wolverines, 4-3, at Ludwig Field for their sixth straight loss. Maryland fell behind 3-0 and nearly rallied, but ultimately endured a third home defeat of the season.
“We just don’t want the group to give up,” coach Michael Marchiano said. “If you look at it in isolation, for sure, I’m proud that the team didn’t give in, and that they fought to the very end.”
The match kicked off the Terps’ (6-10, 2-7 Big Ten) final three matches, all of which are at home. Maryland has recorded six wins at Ludwig Field this season under Marchiano after finishing with only two last year.
Marchiano’s philosophy of keeping energy high and working as a unit has shown through the team’s improvements with ball rotation and controlling pace. Despite that, he believes the team has to be “as close to perfect as possible” to close the season strong.
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While the Terps endured a lifeless first half Thursday, their second-half breakthrough nearly fueled a victory.
Forward Kelsey Smith received a pass from forward Gemma Davitian and launched the ball high into the left corner of the net for Maryland’s first goal. Only minutes later, midfielder Ava Morales darted past the Wolverines’ defense, culminating in another goal.
“The energy probably came from Kelsey’s goal,” Marchiano said. “She makes a special shot that gives us some life and lifts the team.”
Davitian recorded her second goal of the season nearly 10 minutes later. The redshirt freshman was in front of goalkeeper Sophie Homan when the ball got away from her, right to Davitian.
Matchups between individual players were battles down to the final seconds nearly every time, making for an extremely even contest.
The trio of scores almost compensated for the Terps’ worst defensive performance at home this season.
The Wolverines, off a tie against Indiana, scored nearly three minutes in. In a circuit of passes from attackers, midfielder Vickie Jones shot low just past goalkeeper Faith Luckey.
[Maryland women’s soccer’s Big Ten-road struggles continue in 2-0 loss to Nebraska]
Michigan’s (6-7-3, 3-3-3 Big Ten) consistent pressing made it tough for the Terps to advance into scoring positions in the first half, in which they finished with only five shots on goal.
The Wolverines scored similarly quickly in the second half. Forward Elle Ervin notched a goal before midfielder Jenna Lang tied the team lead with her sixth goal this season.
Forward Gabrielle Prych’s goal in the 66th minute proved to be the difference in a match between two teams who entered with the same amount of goals. They finished tied in shots and shots on goal.
Maryland’s persistent defensive issues — even amid Luckey’s development this season — continue to hinder it in conference play. While the offense has been similarly poor for much of the season, it broke through on Thursday.
“I think they’re gutted,” Marchiano said. “This was a big game. I think if we win this game, we were very much so back in the hunt and back in the mix for [the] postseason.”
