If Maryland women’s soccer forward Jarena Harmon sees a teammate miss a shot or allow a goal in practice, she insists the Terps forget about the lapse. If Harmon notices a player dwell on a shortcoming, the sophomore reminds the team to have a short memory.
Harmon, who transferred from Pittsburgh this season and has emerged as a leader for the Terps, makes sure everyone is focused on the next opportunity.
That next-player-up message has become a point of emphasis for the Terps as they enter Big Ten play without forward/midfielder Natasha Ntone-Kouo, who coach Ray Leone said is out for the season with a knee injury.
After the team’s 5-2 loss to George Mason on Sunday night sunk the program into a four-game losing streak, the Terps will rely on reserves to fill Ntone-Kouo’s void.
“You have to keep playing the game instead of [thinking] ‘Oh, this person messed up, so we’re not going to play on the ball,'” Harmon said. “Everyone’s getting more chances. It’s not one chance and done.”
Ntone-Kouo started 12 of Maryland’s 19 games last season and was expected to anchor a young backline. But after combining to play 323 minutes in the first four games, her season ended abruptly.
In the 23rd minute of the Terps’ 3-1 win over Penn on Aug. 28, Ntone-Kouo collided with a Quakers forward on the far side of the field. She was carted off moments later.
“Her calmness as a person you’re missing back there,” Leone said. “She’s still a leader on this team and a really positive voice. It’s disappointing for her. We have to move on.”
Maryland has dropped four straight since losing Ntone-Kouo, most recently suffering a two-goal loss to the Patriots. In their past two games, the Terps have entered the intermission down by three goals.
Against Navy, Maryland’s defense allowed five goals for the first time since it did so on Sept. 26, 2013 against Notre Dame. Sunday, the Patriots were also able to record five scores.
Without Ntone-Kouo, Leone will likely turn to freshmen Niven Hegeman and Hannah Hoefs. Despite the team’s recent struggles, the expectations remain high.
“The people who have come in have stepped up and owned the position,” midfielder Hope Gouterman said. “We have a deep enough bench that we can say ‘OK, we’re going to put someone out there and trust that they’re going to put [forth] everything they have.”
While Hegeman started for the second time in as many games Sunday, she has only played for 162 minutes this season. Hoefs has appeared in seven contests but has just 10 more minutes of collegiate experience than Hegeman.
Defender Lauren Frank, who has logged 55 minutes this season, could also receive more playing time with Ntone-Kouo sidelined.
“[The backline] has to get it together,” Leone said. “We haven’t played enough games together. When you play a backline, they have to be a team within a team, so we’ve got a lot of work to do there.”
When the Terps held their first fall practice, Leone requested each player know everyone else’s names. Now without their senior midfielder, the Terps are further emphasizing communication.
“We do a lot better and get a lot more opportunities when we simply communicate with each other and encourage each other to fight,” Harmon said. “Pick your head up and continue to play.”
