There haven’t been many seasons that have started better than the 2025 iteration of Maryland women’s soccer. But on Sunday night, the Terps were dominated from start to finish by a superior opponent.
Maryland’s first away match culminated in a 2-0 loss to Old Dominion at the ODU Soccer Complex, ending their three-game win streak.
The two teams haven’t played in nearly 30 years — they last played on September 24th, 1995. Old Dominion is a stronger non Power-Four team as they tied perennial power Georgetown earlier in the season.
The Monarchs’ defense has allowed just two goals in three games and their stout gameplan was on full display Sunday.
After a free kick by midfielder Ava Morales, defender Alyssa Abramson was the only Terp able to produce an on-frame shot attempt in the first half.
Old Dominion midfielder Gry Boe Thrysøe, who came close to scoring multiple times in the first half, was able to strike a questionable ball from right inside the 18-yard box, bouncing repeatedly from crossbar to grass. After deliberation between referees, the play was ruled a goal, putting the Monarchs up 1-0.
Thrysøe’s goal was one of 12 Old Dominion shot attempts. It dominated ball possession against the second Big Ten team they’ve played this season, outshooting the Terps by 11 shots.
The deficit proved to be too difficult for Maryland to overcome, who had played ahead in its two prior games. Marchiano’s offense couldn’t generate any consistent production, failing to cross into Old Dominion’s defensive zone for a majority of the contest.
Maryland’s offensive shortcoming can be partially attributed to the Monarch’s defensive attention on forward Kelsey Smith. After three goals in the past three games, Smith was repeatedly pressured into quick releases that depleted the Terps’ goal scoring potential early on in the first half.
Last year’s Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year Ashlynn Kuhla was a key piece in Old Dominion’s defensive game plan. She also added a header goal three minutes into the second half. Kuhla’s goal put the Monarchs up 2-0.
Each team finished with six fouls and a yellow card was handed to Maryland’s defender/midfielder Mia Mitchell. The Terps would find themselves unable to produce a single shot on frame in the second half; Old Dominion would add another seven to their tally, producing a total of 19 in the game.
In the face of the offensive troubles plaguing Maryland and the end of her three-game shutout streak, goalkeeper Faith Luckey would make a career-high seven saves in the game and was a singular beacon in the Terps’ disappointing showing.
Looking forward to the rivalry match against the Navy on Thursday, the Terps will have to figure out how to maintain ball possession and find the goal to secure their fourth victory.
