In the 70th minute, Juliana Lynch, who had struggled all game, found herself with the ball just outside the eighteen. 

She lifted a floating cross into the box that Mikayla Dayes headed home for Maryland’s most important goal in recent history.

The Terps upset Big Ten preseason No. 3 Michigan,1-0, in a program-defining effort.

“I’m really proud of them. And it started in [the] preseason. We spoke about the details and the habits to be a champion, and I think that showed tonight,” coach Meg Ryan Nemzer said.

Maryland ended with 10 shots to seven for the Wolverines. 

The Terps also had 10 fouls, revealing a new aspect of physicality they played with tonight. 

The game started quickly, with Catherine DeRosa getting a solid chance in the first minute, requiring a save from Michigan keeper Izzy Nino. 

Maryland’s defense held its own in the first half, but they had to withstand a few dangerous chances that Michigan created. 

In the 13th minute, Terps’ keeper Madeline Smith made a diving save and pushed the ball wide on a Hannah Blake shot that was on a line for the bottom right corner. 

Maryland held its breath in the 22nd minute on a looping cross by Michigan that struck the post and nearly bounced in.

Right back Amanda Schafer was fantastic in the first half, containing Michigan and Big Ten leading-scorer Sammi Woods.

The Terps held the high-powered Michigan offense in check for most of the half, with both teams having a few chances but nothing too threatening. 

Coming into the game, Michigan had already scored 26 goals and posted two seven-goal efforts.

Juliana Lynch, who has been a staple in the middle for Maryland so far this year, did not start the game and uncharacteristically had issues with turnovers.

Michigan had four shots in the first half, while Maryland notched three of its own. 

All four of the Wolverines’ shots were on target. 

Michigan came out firing in the second half.

 In the 47th minute, an unchallenged header for Danielle Wolfe just missed the net.

In the 54th minute, Alina Stahl got a good look at the net and fired a powerful shot that forced a quality save by the Wolverines’ keeper that led to a corner. 

Maryland almost scored off that corner on an Alyssa Poarch shot that was deflected wide.

In the 70th minute, Lynch served a cross to Mikayla Dayes, who rose and headed it home, giving Maryland a 1-0 lead.

Michigan nearly equalized on a counter when they put the ball in the back of the net, but it was ruled offside, much to the relief of Smith and the Terps’ defense. 

The second half saw more possession for Michigan, but Maryland proved effective on the counter. 

They came agonizingly close to doubling the lead in the 80th minute on a chance for Zora Jackson that sailed wide. 

In the final minutes of the game, Michigan made some threatening runs into the box, inducing some incredibly stressful moments, but the Terps’ defense stepped up with some timely tackles and clearances. 

“We do a lot of things that talk about what you need to do to win your battles so that the team can be successful,”  Nemzer said. “We spoke about moments that defenders are going to be called upon to have those big moments. I thought that they did that. But I also give credit to my attack because the attack this week was much better.” 

Maryland played physical defense, leading to several yellow cards throughout the match, but it worked as Michigan couldn’t match their intensity. 

The game ended with Maryland on the celebrating side of an improbable upset.

Maryland’s upset victory marked their first Big Ten win since 2019, and their first ever win against Michigan. 

The Terps will look to continue their momentum next Thursday when they take on Illinois at home.