Preview: Maryland women’s soccer looks to snap losing skid against Minnesota

Maryland women’s soccer (2-7-5) prepares for its final home match of the season, as the Terps host Minnesota (6-7-2) Sunday.

The Terps limp into yet another conference matchup as they look to bounce back from a 7-0 beating at the hands of Ohio State. This marked their sixth loss in a row, all to Big Ten opponents.

Their odds of snapping the losing streak looked rough from the opening kick, as forward Emma Sears scored 31 seconds in to catch the Maryland defense sleeping. Sears striked again less than four minutes later.

Maryland, down multiple goals less than five minutes in, failed to retaliate in the critical minutes that followed. At the 6’ mark, fellow star forward Kayla Fischer scored herself to push the lead to 3-0.

Ohio State added five more goals, including three from forward Kailyn Dudukovich. Dudukovich’s hat trick was the first allowed by Maryland this season. 

The Maryland offense had looks near the net, as the Terps fired off eight shots, but none put them on the scoreboard.

Maryland’s losses continue to grow more lopsided, with this as their third straight time on the wrong side of a shutout. The seven goals they let up tops the Terps’ previous season-high of four, set two weeks ago against Michigan State.

The Terps have let up 13 goals in their last three matches, with their depleted back line not helping goalkeeper Emory Wegener, who was taken out between halves for Madeline Smith. In addition to the poor defense, no Terp has scored since their September 29th loss to Wisconsin.

Maryland’s 11 goals this season is second-worst in the conference, ahead of only Indiana (eight).

Minnesota could potentially serve as the break Maryland needs, as the Golden Gophers hold losing records both on the season and in conference play.

The Golden Gophers’ most recent matchup ended in a tie to No. 8 Rutgers, with both teams capped out at two goals. Both of Minnesota’s scores came off the heels of Rutgers briefly taking the lead.

Rutgers striked first less than five minutes into the match. Ten minutes later, midfielder Sophia Boman answered with a shot of her own, evening the score at one.

The two teams exchanged runs for the remainder of the half, with neither able to connect for the half hour that followed. Allison Lynch breathed life back into the Rutgers attack at in the 53rd minute, taking the reigns once again.

This lead, however, would last even shorter than the first one. Defender Gabbie Cesarone pulled the score even again seven minutes later with her fifth goal of the season, the team lead. No one else connected afterwards.

The draw was Minnesota’s first against a Big Ten opponent this season.

Minnesota has struggled recording saves, as the Golden Gophers’ 40 is the second-fewest in the Big Ten. Their .741 save percentage ranks in the bottom half as well. 

The Golden Gophers sit in the middle-of-the-pack in the conference in offense. 

Unlike Maryland, Minnesota has yet to lose by multiple goals this season.

Kickoff will take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Ludwig Field in College Park.