USC and UCLA have long been national powers in women’s soccer. Maryland, meanwhile, ranks among the weakest programs in Power Four history.
The Terps will fly to Los Angeles on Wednesday to face both teams in one weekend, battling the fatigue of coast-to-coast travel while trying to extend their two-game winning streak.
Maryland will travel more than 2,600 miles to face the Trojans and Bruins. The last time the Terps faced USC was nearly 20 years ago, and it has been more than a decade since they played UCLA.
It’s the first time that Maryland and the former Pac-12 teams will play in conference play. Big Ten teams have typically struggled after traveling across the country to face West Coast opponents.
But forward Kelsey Smith is looking forward to the Terps’ time in Los Angeles. She said the idea of playing a top-ranked team “excites and fuels” her.
“We have a lot of confidence going into playing the best teams in the country, and I think we’re just really all excited for giving everything we have,” Smith said.
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On the long trips, Smith said the team is looking forward to bonding opportunities and exploring Los Angeles. Coach Michael Marchiano said the team goes on walks, shares meals and plays board games together — but he doesn’t try to force it through organized events.
“The relationships off the field can influence things on the field,” Marchiano said. “You need like-minded people who are aligned, who want to accomplish the same thing.”
Smith also said she’s been impressed with the bond the first-year coach has built with his players.
“I do think that’s important, that he knows me as a person and I know him as a person besides soccer,” Smith said. “He does intentionally try to build those relationships with all of the girls on the team, which is important to us.”
Even though the team and staff are looking forward to their California trip, they recognize the week’s tough competition.
[Maryland women’s soccer needs a ‘near-perfect’ defense to succeed in Big Ten play]
UCLA is the No. 4 team in the country, and while USC is in a down year after losing three of its past four games, the Trojans are traditionally a strong program.
Marchiano compared the competition to the Terps’ 4-0 loss to Penn State in their first conference match. The coach said he’s using his team’s disappointment after that blowout as motivation to win this weekend.
The Terps are coming off a great weekend, turning a three-game losing streak into two consecutive wins over Indiana and Purdue. The result moved Maryland to 6-4, its most wins in a season since 2019.
“I am looking forward to challenging our group at the highest level and seeing how we respond and perform to those two very different challenges,” Marchiano said.
