Maryland women’s soccer begins its 2024 campaign with a fresh slate. After going 3-10-5 and winless in the Big Ten in 2023, the Terps will be looking for a spark this season to propel them to success.
Head coach Meghan Ryan Nemzer is entering her third season at the helm, and after attracting a nationally-ranked recruiting class — including 4-star Gemma Davitian — it will be interesting to see how the team develops as the season progresses.
Maryland will first face off against Lehigh, which plays in the Patriot League. The Mountain Hawks had a pedestrian 7-5-5 record in 2023 and went 4-4-1 in conference play. They had impressive victories over both American (4-1) and St. John’s (4-2). However, they bowed out in the Patriot League Tournament after succumbing to Boston University in a penalty kick shootout.
Friday’s game will begin at 6 p.m. and stream on ESPN Plus.
Lehigh Mountain Hawks
2023 record: 7-5-5 (4-4-1 Patriot League)
Lauren Calabrese, like Ryan Nemzer, enters her third season as head coach of the Mountain Hawks. In her previous two seasons, Calabrese had mixed results. In 2022, she led Lehigh to a 5-2-2 conference record and a Patriot League semifinal for the first time since 2018. Calabrese graduated from Lehigh in 2007 and, prior to being named head coach, spent the previous six years on the sideline as associate head coach since rejoining the program in 2016.
Players to know
Corinne Lyght, senior forward, No. 6 — Lyght led the Mountain Hawks and ranked No. 8 in the conference last year in total shots with 35. She was named to the Patriot League second team and started in all 17 games, compiling one goal and two assists.
Maggie Ousouljoglou, junior goalkeeper, No. 32 — Ousouljoglou was one of the premier goalkeepers in the Patriot League last season. She ranked No. 4 in goals against average (1.0) and saves (57). She also recorded an impressive save percentage of .792.
Ava Schaller, graduate student, No. 15 — Schaller was splendid in 2023, tying the team lead in points (10), recording three goals and four assists. As a junior in 2022, she was named to the third team All-Patriot League.
Strength
Defense. Goals allowed is one of the only categories that the Mountain Hawks rank in the top half in the conference. In fact, they placed No. 4 in 2023, allowing just 18 goals on the year. With its goalkeeping continuity, Lehigh should sustain this production.
Weakness
Roster turnover. While it may be a bit of an exaggeration, Lehigh lost defender Ryelle Shuey, who recorded a team-high five goals in 2023 and tied the team lead in points with 10. It also lost midfielder Emma Roesing, who tied a team-high with four assists last year.
Three things to watch
1. Can Maryland create offense? Maryland didn’t score a single goal in all of conference play last year. While this particular matchup is nonconference, it will be important for Maryland to set the tone offensively. But how easily will that come? Perhaps transfer forward Delaney DeMartino — who scored four goals last year with UMBC — could bring a sense of urgency up top.
2. Will any young faces step up? It would not necessarily be a surprise to see any of the freshmen receive significant playing time as Ryan Nemzer attempts to build a productive lineup. Forwards Kate Hawley, Emily Lenhard, Ellie Egeland and Davitian are some names to keep in mind.
3. Can Ava Morales build off last season? Junior Ava Morales led the Terps in points last year and scored a team-high three goals. She improved nicely from her freshman campaign, in which she started just two games. Even more production from Maryland’s star would be an extremely welcome sight in College Park.
