By Megan Tervo

Maryland’s Women’s Soccer program is off to a rough start this season, going 0-4 in conference play following a 1-0 loss Thursday against No. 14 Wisconsin.

However, their record does not reflect the team’s potential. Despite the loss, the Terps held their own against Wisconsin, earning several quality opportunities in the second half. This included four shots and two corners, which put more pressure on Wisconsin’s defense to perform than they had seen in the first half.

Graduate management studies student Dash Tischler has followed the team since his freshman year, covering games for sports media outlets on campus. He’s a student production assistant for the Big Ten Network, which includes play-by-play commentating for women’s soccer games. He’s also one of the team’s practice players, making him well acquainted with the program. 

“We have every chance of getting at least a point in the second half,” Tischler said.

Although the Terps couldn’t equalize, they put on a much stronger performance in the second half. 

Possession was an issue for the Terps in the first 25 minutes, which cost them a goal. Maryland was unable to maintain control of the ball, allowing Wisconsin forward Taylor Gordon to intercept the ball and score an unassisted goal.

The Terps improved their ball control throughout the rest of the game, and some crafty corners gave them some strong chances. 

The Terps also increased their physicality, with a great tackle by freshman defender Morgan Shannon in the second half giving them an opportunity to move forward. 

Astor Heaven, whose daughter McKinley Heaven is a sophomore forward on the team, thought the team played much better than they had previously against Penn State.

“The girls played hard and were competitive the whole game,” Heaven said.

Notably, Maryland’s freshman forward Jolie Farmer was seemingly tripped during a breakaway, but no foul was called, preventing a free-kick opportunity. Many fans clearly disliked the referee’s decision.

Despite the loss, Astor Heaven is excited for Maryland’s future.

The team has “a lot of really, really good young talent. Once we get some good chemistry and the girls are on the same page, I think they’re going to be good,” Astor Heaven said.

Natalie Ramirez, a junior human development major, was one of the game’s ballgirls. She plays for UMD’s club soccer team and was helping to raise funds for her club while supporting other women’s soccer programs on campus.

“I wish more people came to the women’s games,” Ramirez said. “They deserve the same amount of attention that the men’s games get, and I honestly think that the Maryland crew should come out more often too.” 

She believes that more support for the women’s team would help them continue the momentum they built during the second half of this game to get some conference wins. 

“Energy matters. It motivates you, it fires you up, and I think they needed that,” Ramirez said.

The loss against Wisconsin may seem like another stain on the team’s not-so-great record, but it was truly a showing of the potential the Terps have.

“Fans should definitely be checking them out. I know right now the results may not have gone the way they want, but the future is very bright,” Tischler said.

Featured Image: Forward Abigail Stager challenging for the ball. Photo by Megan Tervo.