Preview: Maryland women’s soccer looks to end losing skid against Penn State

Coming off yet another ugly conference loss, Maryland women’s soccer (2-5-5) will face off against Penn State (7-3-2) Sunday, as they desperately attempt to stave off a fifth straight loss.

Maryland’s most recent thumping came at the hands of Michigan State, 4-0. The four-goal loss was the first multi-goal loss of the season for the Terps.

“We gotta make sure we clean up some things attacking-wise, defensively,” coach Meghan Ryan Nemzer said.

Maryland spent the first chunk of the match on defense,as the Spartans released an onslaught of shots right out of the gate.

The Terps went 24 minutes without getting a shot off, when midfielder Ava Morales finally attempted a shot in the 25th minute. Morales’ strike sailed right over the crossbar.

Emory Wegener, who got her third straight start in goal last Sunday, fought valiantly throughout the first half of the first period, but in the 37th minute, forward Lauren DeBeau finally broke through for the Spartans on their tenth attempt of the match. This put DeBeau stoop the team leaderboard for goals on the season with seven, and Jordyn Wickes got her second assist of the season.

Michigan State added three goals in the second half to seal the win.

Forward Alina Stahl, the Terps’ leader in goals (four) and points (10), has been quiet in Big Ten action. In five conference matches, Stahl has recorded only one goal and two points. Meanwhile, forward Mikayla Dayes has improved her play to another level against Big Ten opponents, scoring both her goals against the conference.

Maryland has struggled in conference play on both sides of the ball, as the Terps rank in the bottom-half of the Big Ten in both goals and goals allowed.

The Terps, who have faced three of the top-six teams in the conference in their last three matches, will look to rebound against Penn State.

The Nittany Lions have been a bit better against Big Ten schools, holding a 2-2-1 record in conference play. However, they were shutout their last time out against No. 16 Ohio State, 3-0. The loss was the second in a row for Penn State.

Penn State seemed to take an early lead, but its goal was ruled offside. Neither team scored in the first half. Ohio State finally woke up in the second half, scoring three goals in the final 17 minutes to take the match over Penn State.

The Nittany Lions lost despite holding a 20:15 shot advantage.

Forward Ally Schlegel is a key player for Maryland’s defense to keep an eye on, as she leads the team in goals (five). Forward Penelope Hocking has fared well as of late, registering three goals in the last four matches.

Nittany Lions goalkeeper Katherine Asman has endured struggles recently, allowing five goals in the last two matches.

On the season, Penn State is averaging nearly five more shots per game than its opponent. Maryland’s defense will look to keep the aggressive Nittany Lions offense in check.

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. Sunday and will take place at Ludwig Field in College Park.