Maryland women’s soccer’s offense shut down in 1-0 loss to James Madison

A solid defensive performance by Maryland women’s soccer was spoiled by a lack of offensive performance. A two-shot evening for the Terps wasn’t nearly enough to get Maryland back in the win column.

The Terps (4-3) travelled west to Harrisonburg, Va., to face the James Madison Dukes (4-1-2) in a midweek matchup. While the Terps’ defense was able to contain the Dukes’ attack for the most part, a lone slip-up led to a 1-0 loss.

Through the first 10 minutes, the Terps were unable to get anything going on offense. The Dukes maintained possession in Maryland territory for the majority of the time, but the Terps’ defense prevented any scoring opportunities from developing.

JMU was eventually able to get past the Maryland defense in the 23rd minute. 

A slip pass between two Maryland defenders by JMU junior midfielder Ellie Farrell kicked off the scoring play for the Dukes. Farrell got the ball to senior defender Jordan Yang just left of the net, and from there, Yang found sophomore forward Ginny Lackey free in front of the net. Lackey, the reigning Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, was able to sneak the ball past the left of Faith Luckey for the soft touch goal.

Lackey has been JMU’s superstar throughout her two years with the program. She leads the team in goals with six and assists with three. She was named Preseason Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year and to the Preseason All-Sun Belt Team coming into the 2025 season. Lackey was also named Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year and was a MAC Hermann Trophy Award Semifinalist in 2024.

The Terps’ defense began to look unorganized in the 38th minute as JMU found two good looks to score, yet failed to capitalize on both opportunities. 

Maryland’s attack remained weak through the remainder of the first half.

During the first 45 minutes, forward Kelsey Smith was the only one able to get a shot off, which was on goal. The redshirt junior’s performance was consistent through the first half. She was able to drive the ball down the pitch, take a couple of corner kicks, and send the ball to the front of the net, yet her teammates were unable to finish the play.

JMU pressured the Terps throughout the first half, taking eight shots in the first half, four of which were on goal. 

Maryland’s defense began to slow down the Dukes’ attack in the second half. It became a tighter matchup as the Terps’ attack began creating and keeping possessions of their own.

Luckey continued to show her mobility in front of the net as she dove to her right to make the save against freshman forward Audrey Orrock’s charging shot. The ball lingered in the box as Luckey was still on the ground. 

However, Maryland defenders Sam Winer and Tahirah Turnage-Morales came in to bail out Luckey as JMU flew in to take another shot.

The Terps’ offense was never able to find any good shots in the second half either. They were only able to take one shot in the second half, which was on goal, again by Smith.

Maryland allowed 15 shots in the match, including six on goal. Luckey’s continued success in her first year as a starter played a major part in the low-scoring affair as she was able to notch a five-save performance.

The Terps’ defense, highlighted by Turnage-Morales, managed to stick close to Lackey and contain her throughout the match other than her one goal allowed. Lackey’s goal was her only shot of the match.

The Terps still remain in the hunt for their fifth win of the season. After suffering back-to-back losses, they will look to their return to Ludwig next Thursday for a match against Penn State, beginning their Big Ten slate.