COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Michigan (6-7-3) emerged victorious in a seven-goal thriller, defeating Maryland (6-10) by a score of 4-3 on Thursday evening at Ludwig Field. The Wolverines snapped their winless streak while extending the Terrapins' losing run to six matches.
Vickie Jones opened the scoring for Michigan in the 3rd minute, converting an assist from Jenna Lang and Gabrielle Prych. The Wolverines doubled their advantage through Elle Ervin in the 47th minute off a setup from Ella Jablinskey. Lang added Michigan's third in the 48th minute before Prych made it 4-0 in the 67th minute with Lang recording her second assist of the match.
The first half saw Michigan establish control early through Jones's strike. The Wolverines generated multiple chances, with Lang testing Maryland's defense in the 10th minute with a shot that sailed high. Maryland's Lisa McIntyre responded with two attempts before the break, including a blocked shot in the 13th minute, but the Terrapins struggled to find the finishing touch.
Maryland mounted a spirited comeback in the second half. Kelsey Smith pulled one back in the 68th minute off a Delaney DeMartino assist, followed by Ava Morales's strike in the 70th minute. Gemma Davitian added Maryland's third in the 79th minute, setting up a tense finish. The Terrapins pressed for an equalizer, with Morales forcing a save in the 81st minute, but Michigan's defense held firm.
The match statistics reflected the even nature of the contest, with both teams recording 14 shot attempts and 7 shots on goal. Michigan held a slight advantage in corner kicks (5-2), while both teams' goalkeepers were kept busy throughout the 90 minutes. The Wolverines recorded 4 saves to Maryland's 3.
Lang was the standout performer for Michigan, contributing a goal and two assists. Prych also impressed with a goal and an assist, while Jones's early strike set the tone for the Wolverines' attack. For Maryland, Morales led the comeback effort with a goal and multiple threatening attempts, while Smith and Davitian showed clinical finishing in the second half.
The tactical battle shifted dramatically after halftime. Michigan's early pressure and efficient finishing built their commanding lead, but Maryland's tactical adjustments, including pushing numbers forward and utilizing width, nearly produced a remarkable comeback. The Terrapins' increased intensity forced Michigan to defend deeper and rely on counterattacks in the final twenty minutes.
This victory marks a crucial turning point for Michigan, who had struggled for consistency in recent weeks, including a loss to Michigan State and a draw with Indiana. For Maryland, despite the defeat extending their losing streak, the second-half performance demonstrated their attacking potential and resilience.
Michigan's next challenge comes on Sunday as they travel to face Rutgers, while Maryland looks to snap their losing streak when they host Ohio State on Sunday afternoon. Both teams will carry valuable lessons from this high-scoring encounter into their upcoming matches.