Maryland women’s soccer made its first trip to the West Coast a memorable one on Sunday.  The Terps held their own against one of the nation’s top programs, holding No. 4 UCLA scoreless for 71 minutes.

Maryland ultimately fell to the Bruins, 1-0, but impressed in what can be a turning point for the program. 

The Terps opened aggressively, controlling possession in the first five minutes and forced UCLA to absorb pressure. However, midfielder Kelsey Smith created Maryland’s first true look late in the first half with a curling effort that sailed just over the crossbar.

Meanwhile, the Bruins played with a fast pace and peppered Maryland’s defense with crosses. Freshman goalkeeper Faith Luckey was unfazed, standing tall between the posts. 

Luckey matched UCLA’s intensity with a series of stops in the first half. In the 22nd minute, she smothered a close-range attempt from UCLA’s Lily Boyden.

By halftime, the game remained scoreless.  The Terps’ backline, led by Alyssa Abramson and Luckey, absorbed the Bruins’ pressure. Maryland stopped many UCLA attacks but couldn’t generate a consistent offensive balance.

Out of the break, the Terps found renewed energy. 

Smith continued to push the pace on offense as forward Delaney DeMartino added pressure to Maryland’s attack. 

A potential turning point came in the 52nd minute. Sophomore Kara Croone nearly put UCLA ahead, but after a review, the goal didn’t count and kept the match deadlocked.

The Bruins finally broke through late on Sunday. 

Bella Winn, UCLA’s offensive centerpiece, took a shot from the top right edge of the box that slipped just beyond Luckey’s reach to give the Bruins the lead. That was all the fourth-ranked team would need.

Despite a mix of Maryland counterattacks in the closing minutes, UCLA held firm, securing its eighth consecutive victory.

For Maryland, the close loss showed resilience against one of the toughest opponents on its schedule. The Terps matched the Bruins stride for stride in possession and defensive structure, with Luckey’s six saves and Abramson’s presence on the backline standing out.

The Terps now return home after their two-game road trip, preparing to host Illinois on Oct. 5 at noon.