During the past month, Madison Turner has featured at center back, fullback, midfielder and forward for the Maryland women’s soccer team.
It’s nothing new to her.
Over the course of her four seasons in College Park, Turner has played every position except goalkeeper. Her versatility has been on display this campaign as the Terps have dealt with several injuries in key spots.
“As long as I’m on the field, then I’m happy,” Turner said. “Just playing with the ball is awesome.”
Turner is one of only four players to start at least 13 games this season and has played more minutes than all but three of her teammates. She’s tied for the team high with three goals while adding one assist.
She’s also attempted 37 shots, 19 more than any other Terp this season.
“She likes being forward,” coach Ray Leone said. “Doesn’t everybody?”
[Read more: Maryland women’s soccer’s defense shined despite losing to Penn State]
Turner generally played in wide midfield positions to start the year, but an injury crisis at forward forced her to switch roles. Forwards Chelsea Jackson and Mikayla Dayes suffered season-ending injuries, while Jarena Harmon got hurt against Rutgers and needed to regain her fitness.
Turner continued to move around the front line before defender Jlon Flippens missed the Minnesota contest Oct. 1 due to illness. Turner took her spot at center back, and she’s played mostly there and at right back since.
“These last couple games, she did exactly what we needed her to do and didn’t question it at all,” Leone said. “She played great and she did what the team needed her to do, and I think that’s setting a good example for our young players.”
Freshman midfielder Hope Lewandoski called Turner a “special player” she looks up to often. She admires Turner’s skill and ability to break lines.
That was on display against Minnesota when Turner, playing center back, took the ball from the halfway line, weaved her way by two defenders and scored a screamer from 20 yards away.
“Every team that plays against us, they have to know where she is,” Leone said. “If you forget, you get reminded any time the ball gets passed into her area. She’s like, boom.”
Even when she isn’t playing forward, Turner uses her expertise to help her in attack and defense. Knowing what she would do if she were a striker, Turner anticipates the opposing forward’s next moves, which she said makes countering easier.
While the knowledge she gleans from each position is helpful, Turner finds it difficult at times to move around so often.
“I like it and I don’t like it,” Turner said. “Sometimes I feel like I can’t get used to it. It’s like whiplash, a little bit.”
Despite that, Leone believes Turner has the ability to play soccer at a professional level. If that were the case, her future coaches would have to pick between one of the many places she’s played over the years.
Even Turner doesn’t know where that would be.
“I don’t know if I’ve played in one position long enough to have a preference,” Turner said. “It’s more about who you play with.”