Throughout the 2026 season, Maryland women’s soccer has struggled offensively. 

Until the past week.

After going seven straight games without a goal, Maryland women’s soccer has now scored in back-to-back games. 

Despite the loss, Maryland scored in its second consecutive match, showing immense improvement in offensive production. The Terps struggled earlier in the season, going seven straight games and 53 total shots without a goal. 

Despite the offensive pulse, the Terps could not capitalize on their chance to win back-to-back games for the first time since late August as Maryland fell to Iowa 3-1. 

Maryland women’s soccer was supposed to take a step forward in 2026. Instead, it has regressed closer to the 2024 form that struggled to score for most of Big Ten play. 

Scoring a goal in back-to-back games shows progress, but it is not enough when trying to compete in the Big Ten. 

Maryland sits second to last in the Big Ten. Only the top eight teams will advance into Big Ten tournament play. While the Terps’ recent momentum has demonstrated growth, Maryland still faces the challenge of maintaining offensive and defensive production against Big Ten opponents. 

With only three games in the regular season remaining and post-season qualification on the line, the Terps must attempt to build on their recent progress to secure victories, improving their position in the standings and keeping tournament hopes alive. 

In the final Maryland home game of the season, both teams’ offenses applied heavy pressure. The first half ended with equal shot attempts. Maryland and Iowa each had six shots on goal.

Maryland defender Morgan Shannon recorded the first shot of the game that narrowly missed the goal as the ball bounced off the post on a pass from defender Mia Mitchell, marking the first of Maryland’s many attempts and setting the tone for Maryland’s offensive pressure. 

The Hawkeyes’ offensive aggression let them capitalize first. Iowa forward Reilly Heman shot a low ball that bounced off Maryland goalkeeper Faith Luckey’s hands on a goal kick. 

Less than ten minutes later, Iowa added to their lead. Forward Berit Partan dribbled up the field with no Maryland defenders to stop her and shot a high, center goal straight into the back of the net. 

After going down 2- 0, Maryland’s offense picked up the pace and continued to play aggressively. Consecutive shot attempts by midfielder Ella Petry, forward Abigail Stager, and forward Daryn Barnes showed increasing energy and production within the offense. 

Maryland narrowed the gap in the 62nd minute to cut the deficit to just one. Maryland forward McKinley Heaven pushed through the Iowa defense and passed to defender Ella Bulava, whose shot sailed into the back of the net. 

Iowa responded to Maryland’s goal as forward Berit Parten scored a brace, capturing her second goal of the game and Iowa’s third total in the 78th minute to put the game out of reach. 

Friday marks Maryland’s sixth consecutive loss to Iowa, and its seventh conference loss of the season.