Since Brian Pensky took over as coach of the Terrapin women’s soccer team in 2005, the Terps have had one grueling, five-day road trip every season.
In alternating years, the team either plays at Miami and Florida State or at Wake Forest and North Carolina. The Terps depart College Park on a Wednesday, play the first game Thursday and return home after the weekend’s second game Sunday.
In those five road trips, the Terps haven’t been able to manage a single point, going a combined 0-10.
This season’s trip started yesterday, when the Terps departed for Winston-Salem, N.C., for tonight’s matchup with Wake Forest. They will remain on the road until they face the defending national champions, No. 3 North Carolina, on Sunday.
“It’s an important weekend; it’s tough for all the teams that have to do this five-day trip,” Pensky said. “They’re tough weekends, and these are teams that we’ve struggled with in the past.”
This year’s road trip is particularly important for the No. 6 Terps, who are tied with the Demon Deacons for third place in the conference standings, which the Tar Heels and the No. 10 Seminoles are tied atop.
And while the Terps (12-1-1, 4-1-1 ACC) have proven they can win on the road, having beaten No. 11 Boston College, Tennessee and Seton Hall in road matches, this weekend’s slate gives the Terps the opportunity to finally move past their reputation for struggling in conference.
Historically, the program has won less than 15 percent of games all time against the Demon Deacons and Tar Heels, who they’ve never beaten.
“These are two games that we were in last year and, unluckily, lost,” said forward Jasmyne Spencer, who leads the Terps with eight goals and 21 points. “I think we’re definitely coming for revenge.”
Fortunately for the Terps, who may be stronger than ever, both opponents appear more vulnerable than usual this season.
The Demon Deacons (10-5-1, 4-2-1) are unranked and have yet to beat a team in the top half of the conference standings.
And while the Tar Heels (13-1-1, 5-1) are by no means to be taken lightly, they have already lost to the Eagles, and three of their five conference victories have come by one goal.
The Terps, meanwhile, are just one win shy of setting the program’s record for conference wins.
For a team that will be coming off its first full week of rest since mid-September, it seems now is the time for the Terps to put aside the past and establish themselves as a top ACC team.
And there are few better ways to accomplish that than by putting to rest the disappointing memories of their past five five-day road trips.
“We’ve had some success on the road this fall; there’s no lack of confidence,” Pensky said. “Everything right now is about Wake Forest and preparing for that win.”
cwalsh@umdbk.com
