Preview: Maryland women’s soccer vs. No. 22 Michigan

Maryland women’s soccer (3-4-5, 0-3-1 Big Ten) will look to rebound following back-to-back losses when it travels to Ann Arbor to take on No. 22 Michigan (6-2-3, 2-1-1 Big Ten) on Sunday.

The Terps have struggled to find the back of the net on offense. They’re scoreless in four-straight matches, and are last in the Big Ten in goals scored. 

Coach Meghan Ryan Nemzer has tried to provide a spark to the attack in recent contests by giving speedy outside back Kennedy Bell more freedom to drift forward and be a factor on the dribble offensively. But she knows that the collective group also needs Bell’s defensive skills at the moment as well. 

“I would like to get her in the attack more,” Nemzer said. “But we got to get healthy in the backline before we can do that.”

Maryland has been hampered by injuries lately. Forward Madison Krakower and defender Halle Johnson, both key starters, are currently hurt. Nemzer says she hopes both players can get healthy and be available this weekend. 

The combination of a depleted squad and tired legs due to a tough Big Ten schedule played a big factor in the Terps’ most recent match, a lackluster 5-0 loss to Michigan State. 

Nemzer says the squad is now focused on resting up and regrouping before the match on Sunday. 

“I’m going to continue to say it, but I believe in this team,” Nemzer said. “I’m not going to allow one game or 90 minutes to make me think anything differently. At the end of the day, it’s our job to get them refocused and recovered.” 

The five goals allowed marked the second time in only four conference games that Maryland’s defense allowed at least four scores.

“We have to learn from our mistakes in a very straightforward way and not really dwell on it, just look forward and move,” defender Katie Coyle said. 

The Terps will face a tough challenge from the Wolverines, fresh off of a 1-1 draw against No. 4 Penn State. 

Maryland defeated Michigan, 1-0, in the schools’ meeting last season, earning the Terps their first Big Ten win since 2019. This was also Maryland’s first-ever victory over the Wolverines. 

But Michigan appears to be much improved after a disappointing 2022 season where the Wolverines finished 12th in the Big Ten after being picked third in preseason polls. They already have wins over No. 11 Notre Dame and then-No. 18 Northwestern. The Wolverines also notched ties against the Nittany Lions and then-No. 5 Virginia. 

The battle figures to be a low-scoring match as the sides are the two-lowest scoring teams in the Big Ten. Maryland has only scored nine goals this year while Michigan has netted 13.

The Wolverines have scored when it has mattered despite their lack of overall goals. Michigan is led offensively by forward Sammi Woods, who’s five goals this season is seventh-most in the conference. 

Another important piece for the Wolverines is freshman Gabrielle Prych, who has scored four goals — including three game-winners. Avery Peters leads the team in assists with four while providing a strong presence in the midfield.  

While Michigan hasn’t been lighting up the scoreboard on the offensive end, it has been very effective in locking down its opponents on the other end, only allowing eight goals in 11 matches. 

Goalkeeper Stephanie Sparkowski has been a rock in the back. She has 53 saves, tied for the most in the Big Ten. 

Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. on Sunday at U-M Soccer Stadium in Ann Arbor.