Coaches rarely admit that their team deserved to lose a close game. They’ll often point to a decisive play, express frustration at the result or highlight areas for improvement.
But after Maryland women’s soccer’s third straight loss — and second consecutive close contest — first-year coach Michael Marchiano took a different approach. He admitted the Terps “probably deserved to concede” after surrendering a late goal in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Illinois.
“I think we didn’t defend well enough today,” Marchiano told his team after the loss. “We didn’t play well enough today to win the game and probably not even to draw.”
Now over halfway through Big Ten play, Maryland’s once-promising season has hit a rough patch. Marchiano was encouraged with his team’s showing in the Terps’ 1-0 loss to UCLA, but discouraged after falling to the Fighting Illini. Here’s why.
Find a balance with aggressive play
When Maryland has employed forceful defensive strategies, its paid for it in red cards and free kicks. The Terps’ recent 3-0 loss to USC is the most obvious example. Maryland committed two costly fouls, leading to a free kick and a penalty kick, in a game that was close otherwise.
[Late goal seals Maryland women’s soccer’s third straight loss, 2-1 to Illinois]
Even though the Trojans and Terps each notched five fouls, it mattered where they happened. USC’s fouls were much less costly, while Maryland’s infractions directly led to goals.The same goes for an earlier match against Florida. The Terps racked up nine fouls, including an early red card that forced the team to play the majority of the matchup with one player missing.
Both of these incidents are important background for why the Terps couldn’t keep up with the aggression they saw from Illinois on Sunday. The Illini committed six offsides and a yellow card after midfielder Ashley Stellon collided with Maryland forward Mckinley Heaven.
On the other hand, when the Terps tried to increase the defensive intensity, Illinois was granted a free kick.
Keep the goalie busy
It seems that in nearly every game Maryland plays, Faith Luckey breaks her previous record of saves.
[Maryland women’s soccer notebook: Faith Luckey hasn’t received much help in Big Ten play]
The Terps’ goalkeeper has been one of the team’s bright spots this season. She ranks second in the conference in goals saved and fourth in saves per game. But Luckey has been getting bombarded at the net. On Sunday, she faced 23 shots while her counterpart, Illini goalkeeper Izzy Lee, saw only 10.
Luckey’s other stats — a 75 percent save rate, seven losses and a conference-worst 19 goals allowed – are the result of the team’s defense allowing a large number of shots.
Marchiano noted how much the team relies on the consistent performance from their goalie.
“The defensive unit feels good and calm and confident with Faith behind them,” Marchiano said. “We need her.”
Luckey has proved she can handle the pressure of a leaky defense, but Maryland can’t keep relying on her to keep games close.
Struggles against opponent’s top players
One of Illinois’ goals on Sunday looked effortless. A cross in front of the net to Emma Ye faced little resistance and gave the Illini their first goal of the game.
The Terps’ inability to predict opponents strategies led to critical failures in technical play, Marchiano said.
“One of the things that comes to mind is individual duels,” Marchiano said. “They had some good players and they created a lot of chances against us.”
Marchiano also said the team completes standard film reviews prior to games. But even with this strategy under their belts, it appeared as if the Terps were unprepared to stop Illinois’s offensive tactics on Sunday.
All of these factors resulted in Maryland’s recent string of losses, and could prevent the program from reaching three conference wins — something they have not been able to do since 2022. Illinois was just one example of how things can spiral if the Terps don’t address their struggles.
