Kennedy Bell barely watched her second shot hit the net before spinning around to celebrate. The sophomore trotted outside the penalty box, held out her arms and punched her fist in the air.
Bell’s teammates wore huge smiles as they ran off the bench to meet her in an embrace moments later.
Bell, usually a defender, has been a star on the backline for Maryland women’s soccer the past two seasons. Coach Meghan Ryan Nemzer placed her at a new but familiar position Sunday against VCU — forward. Bell responded by scoring her second and third career goals.
“She just has a contagious energy,” senior defender and team co-captain Katie Coyle said. “And whenever she scores, she really brings everyone together.”
[Sloppiness led to Maryland football’s surprising loss against Michigan State]
With two goals and an assist, Bell changed the game’s course and paced the Terps in their 4-0 win. Her offensive spark propelled Maryland to score its most goals in a match under Nemzer, as well as since 2019.
Bell was rated the No. 34 prospect in the nation as a high schooler in Charlotte, North Carolina. She started in all 18 matches as a freshman and accumulated 1,545 minutes, the third-highest on the team.
She’s remained just as consistent this season despite playing a variety of roles.
“It’s just a mindset shift because it’s not too different positionally,” Bell said. “I have the confidence to take players one-on-one because that’s something that I am good at — just embracing it rather than trying to run away from it.”
[Maryland women’s soccer routs VCU, 4-0, its highest single-game score since 2019]
Bell leads the team through eight contests this season with three goals and eight points. She’s tied with redshirt sophomore forward Kelsey Smith and sophomore forward Peyton Bernard with five shots on goal. So far, Bell has notched two game-winning goals.
Bell’s move upfield came after Nemzer shifted Maryland’s defensive field positioning. The coach altered the Terps’ backline from four defenders to three.
Nemzer is confident in the switch because of her team’s depth and versatility. Coyle and fellow defender Halle Johnson allow Nemzer to move key players, such as Bell, up the field.
“She’s a leader. She really does take on a lot of responsibility,” Nemzer said. “I’ve asked her to play in multiple positions and multiple roles this year, and her response is, ‘Whatever the team needs.’”
This mindset has been a core principle across the team. The Terps’ victory against VCU is comforting as they enter Big Ten play, according to Coyle.
Their conference opener is slated for Thursday in College Park against Michigan State at 7 p.m.
