Maryland women’s soccer at Rutgers preview

Written By ApurbaDa October 26, 2024 Add Comment

The Terps finish the 2024 season in New Jersey.

Maryland women’s soccer has reached the end of its 2024 campaign.

Sunday’s match in New Jersey against Rutgers will be the final match of Maryland’s season, as the Terps are eliminated from Big Ten Tournament contention. Maryland last made the conference tournament in 2019, when it lost to then-No. 20 Michigan in the opening round.

It has been a roller coaster of a season for the Terps, highlighted by parting ways with former head coach Meghan Ryan Nemzer and Michael Marchiano stepping in as interim head coach. The Terps also finally snapped a 700-day Big Ten scoreless and winless streak after Marchiano took over.

The program looks to move on from this season, and rebuild with a new head coach.

Sunday’s match will start at 1 p.m. from Yurcak Field and stream on Big Ten Plus.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights (10-3-3, 6-2-2 Big Ten)

Head coach Mike O’Neill has led the women’s soccer team for the last 11 season, and has been with the school for 25 years, as an associate head coach and a player. He was the Big Ten and Eastern College Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2021 and has taken Rutgers to 11 consecutive NCAA Tournaments. Former Maryland head coach Ryan Nemzer was an assistant under O’Neill before taking the Maryland job.

Rutgers will finish off its 2024 regular season on Sunday as well, but the Scarlet Knight’s road will not end there, as they have clinched a spot in the Big Ten Tournament. With a 6-2-2 record and 20 points in Big Ten play, Rutgers sits fifth in the conference standings.

Rutgers’ Big Ten wins came against Wisconsin, Oregon, Washington, Michigan, Nebraska and Illinois. The Scarlet Knights lost to then-No. 9 Iowa and Purdue, as well as drawing with then-No. 1 Michigan State and then-No. 19 Penn State.

Players to watch

Riley Tiernan, senior forward, No. 73 — Tiernan leads Rutgers with 16 points this season, coming from four goals and eight assists. She has taken 55 shots, 24 of those being on goal, for a 7.3% shooting percentage and a 43.6% shots on goal percentage.

She was named to the 2023 All-Big Ten second team, 2022 All-Big Ten third team and 2021 All-Big Ten first team. In 80 career matches, she has 19 goals and 31 assists for 69 points.

Shaela Bradley, freshman midfielder, No. 3 — Bradley has made a huge impact in her freshman season. She has four goals and three assists for 11 points this season, which is the second most on the team behind Tiernan. She was also named Big Ten Freshman of the Week twice in the weeks of Sept. 26 and Oct. 8.

Olivia Bodmer, redshirt sophomore goalkeeper, No. 0 — Bodmer has been a force to be reckoned with in net for Rutgers. In 16 games played, she has only allowed 11 goals and has made 52 saves. She has an 0.69 goals against average and 82.5% save percentage. She has also completed seven shutouts this season.

Last year, she allowed 17 goals in 20 matches and made 73 saves for a 0.85 goals against average and a 81.1% save percentage.

Strength

Home sweet home. The Scarlet Knights are 7-1-1 at home this season, compared to 3-2-2 on the road. Rutgers’ only home loss was to then-No. 9 Iowa. Home field advantage could be a factor Sunday.

Weakness

Shots on goal. Rutgers has struggled to put shots on goal this season with 93, which is tied for eighth in the Big Ten. As well, Rutgers’ shots on goal percentage is 42.5%, which is 13th in the conference.

Three things to watch

1. The final countdown. In the words of the song “The Final Countdown” by Europe, “Will things ever be the same again? It’s the final countdown.” Ninety minutes remain to mark the end of the road for Maryland women’s soccer in 2024. The Terps boast a 4-10-4 record after going 1-8-1 in Big Ten Play. An improvement over the three wins of last year, but changes are coming for the program.

2. A look toward the future. With little on the line, Maryland could decide to deploy some of its young, inexperienced players to better position itself for next year, whether that be in the first or second half.

3. Beardsley’s last game. Sunday will be Liz Beardsley’s final match for Maryland. She has been the shining star for this program over the past two seasons and it won’t be easy for the Terps to find another goalkeeper of her caliber.

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