Rutgers women's soccer set to finish up 3-game road trip at Maryland
The Rutgers women's soccer team will take on Maryland this Saturday. The match will be the last of the Scarlet Knights (5-5-3, 1-3-1) current stretch of three straight road games.
So far on this road trip, Rutgers has tied one game and lost the other. It will be looking to close out the road trip with a win before returning home to Yurcak Field on Busch campus next week against Michigan.
The Knights will most likely come into this game with the advantage, as the Terrapins (3-5-5, 0-4-1) have struggled in the 2023 season. Heading into Saturday's match, Maryland is yet to win against a Big Ten opponent and currently holds a negative 11-goal differential across 13 games. Opponents of the Terrapins have outscored them 20-9 this year.
Despite the way Maryland's season has gone thus far, Rutgers should not overlook its opponent, as the all-time record between the two programs currently sits at an even 6-6-2. The Knights have been dominant in recent years, though, as they are 6-1-1 in their last eight contests against the Terrapins.
Rutgers is hoping to bounce back as it's coming into this game off the heels of its worst performance of the season. Against Iowa on Sunday, the Knights recorded season lows in shots and shots on goal (SOG). Rutgers logged just five shots and two SOG in the match. The attack has struggled a bit all season, but the game against the Hawkeyes (8-1-3, 2-1-2) set new lows for the Knights.
Iowa is undoubtedly a stronger opponent than Maryland, which should bode well for Rutgers' chances of recovering and picking up a victory. A win would mark the Knights' second win in conference play.
To pull off the win, Rutgers and junior defender Kassidy Banks will need to keep the trio of Ava Morales, Lisa McIntyre and Catherine DeRosa in check. These three players have combined for all but 2 of the Terrapins' goals this season. Granted, the team has only scored 9 goals on the year, but it is clear that if Maryland is going to get its attack going, it will be these three at the forefront of it.
Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Olivia Bodmer has been solid in goal for the Knights this season and will look to shut down that trio as well as the rest of the Terrapins.
In the matchup against Nebraska approximately a week ago, Bodmer had a career day despite giving up 2 goals in the draw. She saw an astounding 30-shot attempt and 11 SOG come her way while managing to record a career-high nine saves. She made numerous highlight-reel plays along the way.
While Maryland's attack has been subpar, Rutgers' attack has struggled lately as well. They will need to pick things up to give Bodmer as much cushion as possible, as she has had her hands full in recent games.
Saturday's match will prove to be vital as the Knights try to avoid dropping further in the Big Ten standings. The game will kick off at 4 p.m. at the SECU Stadium in College Park, Maryland, and be broadcast on Big Ten Plus.
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