Maryland women’s soccer looks to bounce back in midweek matchup against Navy

Maryland women’s soccer returns home for a Thursday night match against Navy at Ludwig Field after suffering their first loss of the season. The in-state opponent will be the Terps’ toughest challenge yet this season as the Midshipmen come into the match with a 4-1 record.

Before their latest defeat, Maryland was on a dominant streak, going 3-0 with nine goals scored and zero goals allowed to start the season. 

The Terps’ perfect start came to an end last Sunday in a 2-0 loss when they traveled to Norfolk, Va., for their first road game of the season to face Old Dominion. Despite Faith Luckey recording a career-high seven saves and only allowing the two goals, the Terps couldn’t seem to get anything going for them on offense. Through the entire match, they were only able to muster one shot. 

Throughout their history, Maryland has dominated Navy with a record of 12-2-4 against the Midshipmen, including a 1-0 win in their most recent meeting last season. 

Through their first five games, Navy has not had many struggles on either side of the pitch. The Midshipmen have recorded four shutout victories and only allowed one goal in their sole loss this season to Delaware 

Navy will likely look to strike quickly and early against Maryland, as seven of their first nine goals scored so far this season have come in the first half. They’ll look for their top two goal scorers, midfielder Faith Graziano and forward Marlee Heaven, who both have accumulated three goals apiece, to put the offensive pressure on Maryland throughout.

They will also rely on sophomore goalkeeper Natasha Stramrood to continue her success in the net after recording 13 saves for a .929 save percentage in her four games started.

In the Midshipmen’s only loss this season, their biggest issue was their failure to capitalize. Despite getting off 11 shots, only three were on goal and they weren’t able to score once.

After their disappointing appearance this past weekend, the Terps’ offense will need to get back on track against Navy’s defense. They’ll look to redshirt junior Kelsey Smith to continue to lead the scoring. Smith, one of three Terps named to the Big Ten Players to Watch list, leads the team in goals scored with three, two of those coming in Maryland’s win over Saint Francis.

With such similarities among the two teams to begin their seasons, it seems  the matchup could be as even as it was last year

The Terps’ defense will need to be alert right from the first kickoff, along with their offense setting up scoring opportunities, for the team to get back in the win column.