Preview: Maryland women’s soccer vs. Nebraska

Maryland women’s soccer (3-6-5, 0-5-1 Big Ten) will look to get back on track for the first time since September as it travels to Lincoln to face Nebraska (9-2-3, 3-1-2 Big Ten) on Thursday. 

The Terps are still searching for their first conference win of the season following defeats in four-straight contests, alongside a loss to No. 4 Penn State in their Big Ten opener and a draw with Purdue. 

Maryland has struggled to create and convert chances on the offense end. It has failed to notch a goal in six-straight matches and has yet to score in Big Ten play. The Terps are the only Big Ten team who hasn’t scored in conference play.

Despite that, coach Meghan Ryan Nemzer believes her squad has shown signs of progress and is trending in the right direction, particularly following their performance in their last match against Rutgers. 

“I’m proud of how much the team fought,” Nemzer said. “We spoke about the game plan, and I thought the last 20 to 25 minutes, those things that we spoke about, they finally were executing them as well.” 

Maryland in particular had an improved showing on the defensive end, only allowing one score after giving up a combined nine goals in its prior two matches. Nemzer felt the Terps sticking together was a “growing point.”

“We want to finish out the season and have clean sheets,” defender Katie Coyle said. “And then help connect the ball and move forward in the attack and continue to be dangerous.” 

Another positive for Maryland from its last match was the return of talented forward Madison Krakower from injury. The freshman scored the first goal of her collegiate career earlier in the season against Navy. She also has international soccer experience, having played for the U17 Puerto Rican National Team at the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers.

“Maddie’s a goal scorer,” Nemzer said. “I think we’re starting to get some of those pieces of the puzzle back together.” 

Nemzer is also hopeful she can get defender Halle Johnson back from injury soon as well to provide a steady presence in their backline. 

The Terps have faced a difficult stretch of games to open up conference play against very good opponents, and the slate doesn’t get any easier against the Cornhuskers. 

The high-flying Nebraska offense has scored a conference-high 40 goals, averaging over 2.8 per game. Senior Eleanor Dale powers the Cornhuskers’ offense; her 19 goals leads the nation. The forward has eight multi-goal games this season and has scored in 11 of their 14 matches.

Dale isn’t alone as a threat for Nebraska’s offense. Forward Sarah Weber ranks second on the teams in goals (seven) and has chipped in five assists as well. Midfielder Florence Belzile is the third Cornhusker with double-digit points, with a pair of goals alongside a team-best nine assists.

Nebraska comes into the match riding high on a two-game win streak following victories over Northwestern and Iowa. The Cornhuskers scored a combined seven goals over those contests.

Nebraska holds a 5-0-1 advantage all-time against Maryland. The sides last met in 2021 in a scoreless draw that went to double overtime. 

Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. at Hibner Soccer Stadium.