Maryland women’s soccer was defeated in its return to Ludwig Field Sunday by a strong Illinois side. A late-game strike cemented the final score, 2-1. The home crowd was left stunned on Senior Day, with the Terps losing their third match in a row.
“We didn’t play well enough today to win the game,” head coach Micheal Marchiano said. “And probably not even [well enough] to draw.”
This Thursday, Maryland returns to the road to face a tough opponent in No. 10 Iowa. The Hawkeyes are coming off a contentious
1-1 draw against Michigan and look to return to the win column against a struggling Maryland squad.
The match will take place Thursday at 8 p.m. in Iowa City and stream on Big Ten Plus.
Iowa Hawkeyes (8-2-3, 3-1-2 Big Ten)
2024 Record: 15-2-4, 8-2-1 Big Ten
The Hawkeyes are coming off their best season in program history, reaching the third round in last year’s NCAA Tournament and tying the team record for wins. Head coach Dave Dilanni has continued that momentum into this season, stealing an early win from then-No. 6 Arkansas and leading his team to another top-ten ranking.
Iowa currently ranks fifth in the Big Ten; it will need to close out the season strong to clinch a home match for the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament. The Hawkeyes have put themselves in a good position to do so, highlighted by an airtight backline and high-volume shooting.
Players to watch
Liana Tarasco, freshman midfielder, No. 21 — Tarasco has taken full advantage of her first collegiate season, scoring three goals so far this season. She netted a crucial score in Iowa’s 3-2 win over Arkansas and is proficient in the art of progressive passes.
Sofia Bush, junior midfielder, No. 5 — Although she’s still searching for her first goal, Bush has proven to be one of the better passers in the Big Ten, leading the Hawkeyes in assists (4). She has started every match this season and will look to carve through Maryland’s backline.
Millie Greer, junior defender, No. 30 — Anchoring a backline touting a plus-104 shot differential, Greer serves as a brick wall for any opposing shots. While proficient at blocking, Greer is effective on both sides of the pitch, with two goals already under her belt.
Strength
Shots on target. Iowa leads the Big Ten with 94 shots on target and is third in volume with 208 total shots, dominating the offensive end with frequent shot-taking.
Weakness
Saves. Iowa goalkeepers Taylor Kane and Fernanda Mayrink have split time in goal this season and have only been forced to make 29 total saves. One of every four shots on goal has gone into the Hawkeyes’ net, suggesting Maryland could have opportunities to run up the score.
Three things to watch
1. Can the Terps hold on? Each of Maryland’s last two losses have come at the hands of late-match goals — the team has repeatedly lost stamina in the later portions of games. It will be incredibly important for the Terps to endure all 90 minutes against a top 10 conference opponent.
2. Can Luckey catch a break? With a career-high 11 saves against Illinois, Faith Luckey was more than exhausted after the game. Marchiano has repeatedly mentioned that the whole team needs to take the load off of Luckey and concede less shots moving forward.
“I think that [conceding shots] falls on everybody,” said Marchiano. “We need to keep the ball a little better, and we need to progress up the field…When we lose the ball we need to make the opponent earn everything.”
3. Will Maryland conquer its “Road jinx?” Despite notable progress this season, the Terps are still searching for their maiden away win with two road games remaining. This feat will be difficult against a ranked Iowa, but positive play against the Hawkeyes could provide the necessary push to break their streak.
