The Terps look to extend their shutout win streak to four games.
It was touch-and-go at the end, but Maryland women’s soccer was able to close out a win over UMBC, 1-0, on Thursday evening.
Sophomore Ellie Egeland scored the lone goal of the match — the first of her career — and goalkeeper Faith Luckey’s keen decision-making sealed the deal on her third shutout in as many career starts. The Terps outshot their opponents for the third time this season and have started the campaign off with three consecutive shutouts for the first time since 1996.
The Terps will travel to Norfolk on Sunday to face off against Old Dominion in their first away match of the season. The Monarchs, who play in the Sun Belt Conference, have yet to lose a match this season and are eager to extinguish Maryland after its fiery beginning to its 2025 season.
Sunday’s match begins at 6 p.m. and will stream on ESPN+.
Old Dominion Monarchs (1-0-1, 0-0-0 SBC)
2024 record: 10-6-4, 5-2-3 SBC
Angie Hind enters her 12th season as Old Dominion’s head coach.The Monarchs have had a bevy of success under her leadership, including winning the Conference USA Championship in 2021 and back-to-back Sun Belt Conference Championships in 2022 and 2023. The Monarchs had another positive season in 2024, resulting in a Sun Belt Conference Tournament semifinal appearance.
Old Dominion’s success last season came primarily from pure defensive strongarming. It logged 10 shutouts last season, and is coming off yet another shutout win against William & Mary. The Monarchs have a number of key pieces from last year’s squad returning, and Maryland’s attack will have to be innovative to keep the win streak alive.
Players to Know
Ashlynn Kulha, junior defender, No. 14 — Named to the Hermann Trophy watchlist prior to the season, Kulha is a backline mainstay for the Monarchs in her third year. Kulha started all 20 matches for Old Dominion last season and has played every minute since the beginning of last year. She also scored one goal last season, and is nearly impossible to fool when attacking.
Andrea Balcazar Algarin, senior midfielder, No. 10 — Named to the Sun Belt Conference second team in 2024, Algarin looks to dominate again in her senior season as a captain. Recruited internationally from Mexico City, Algarin was a bright spot on Old Dominion’s attack, notching five points last season. Her speed and passing versatility should provide the Monarchs with additional scoring opportunities.
Yuliia Khrystiuk, senior forward, No. 9 — Another international recruit, Khrystiuk provides an aggressive and clutch boot on the offensive end. Khrystiuk started in 14 matches and played in all 20 last season, dishing out three assists and scoring one goal in the process. She scored a crucial match-tying goal in the team’s Sun Belt Conference Tournament win over VCU. Khrystiuk recorded an assist and a shot this season against William & Mary and will look to uncork more on Sunday.
Strength
Shot differential. The defense was excellent at limiting opponents’ shot opportunities. The Monarchs outshot their opponents 289-162 in 2024, only allowing 8.1 shots per match.
Weakness
Goalscoring. The team was heavily reliant on a few key players for goals in 2024. While Rhea Kijowski led the team with five goals last season, there was a noticeable drop-off in production from other players. The Monarchs have appeared to struggle offensively without her in their last two matches, only scoring three goals against weaker opponents.
Three things to watch
1. Can Egeland continue to step up? Peyton Bernard’s absence against UMBC allowed Egeland to step into the limelight and net her first collegiate goal. If Bernard’s injury continues to keep her off the pitch, Egeland must continue to produce as Maryland faces tougher competition.
2. Can Maryland continue to outlast? Despite shutting out all three opponents, Maryland has appeared to stall offensively after halftime. The Terps failed to score in the second half against UMBC and in their opener versus Lehigh. Against stronger opponents, they will need to keep up the offensive dominance, or close matches could begin to slip away.
3. Will the shutouts continue? Maryland looks to extend its streak of shutout wins to four on Sunday, which hasn’t happened since 1996. If the Terps can pull it off, the “Marchano Effect” could prove to be more than just an idea. It could be the new norm.
Category: General Sports
