Maryland (0-4-2 B1G) takes on Michigan (3-1-2 B1G) on Thursday at Ludwig Field, still looking for its first win of the season.
Maryland can be encouraged by its result in its previous match against No. 17 Rutgers, playing the Scarlet Knights to a scoreless draw at Ludwig Field. Head coach Ray Leone was satisfied with the Terps’ performance.
“I’m just really excited because we really showed what we can be today,” Leone said. “To play 110 [minutes] like that, it’s one thing playing one half because we played one half really well. To do it again and then to do two overtimes really just showed whatever it took today they were going to do. That’s something that I’m extremely proud of them for.”
Maryland will try to improve on the attacking side of the ball after only attempting one shot on target against Rutgers. One of the most important things for the Terps in generating more success on the attack is building chemistry.
“The tough thing is a lot of players are banged up right now and each game we have a different starting lineup, so it’s just about building chemistry,” redshirt junior forward Alyssa Poarch said.
Michigan is coming off a huge 7-3 win over in-state rival Michigan State last Friday. After being tied in the 65th minute, the Wolverines blitzed the Spartans and scored five goals in the following 17 minutes to win their second consecutive game.
Defensively, the Terps will be tasked with slowing down Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week junior midfielder Meredith Haakenson, who scored two goals and notched an assist in the Wolverines win over the Spartans.
Michigan is undefeated on the road so far this season, beating Nebraska and tying Iowa and Ohio State.
Maryland will play its final home game of the season on Sunday against Iowa at noon, before ending its regular season with three road contests.
