Maryland women’s soccer finishes off a four-match home stand with another new Big Ten opponent in the Oregon Ducks.
This is the first ever match between Maryland and Oregon, as the Ducks’ entry to the Big Ten sparks a new cross-country conference rivalry.
Sunday’s match will start at 1 p.m. and be streamed on Big Ten Plus.
Oregon Ducks (4-5-0, 0-2-0 Big Ten)
2023 record: 0-16-3, 0-10-1 Pac-12
The Ducks are off to a much better start to their 2024 season, as Oregon failed to win a single match in the 2023 season. The Ducks have four wins on the year, but head into this one losing two straight conference matches to UCLA and Rutgers.
Head coach Graeme Abel has gotten his team on a better track in his fifth season with Oregon.
Players to watch
Cameron Bourne, sophomore forward/midfielder, No. 13 — Bourne is tied for the team lead with three goals this season in six starts and nine appearances. She has recorded eight shots, six shots on goal and a 37.5% shooting percentage. Last season she started all 17 matches she appeared in and had one assist.
Haley McWhirter, senior midfielder, No. 12 — McWhirter is in a three-way tie for the team lead with six points as she has two goals and two assists. This is her first season with Oregon after transferring from Mississippi State. In 2023 with the Aggies, McWhirter was a team captain. She had 14 career goals and nine assists with Mississippi State.
Taylor Bryan, redshirt senior forward, No. 5 — Bryan is in her first season with the Ducks after transferring with Virginia Tech. In her career with the Hookies, Bryan had seven goals and three assists. This season she is tied for the team lead with three goals.
Strength
Preventing cards. The Ducks have only received four yellow cards and one red card in the 2024 season, while opponents have received nine yellow cards and one red card.
Weakness
Scoring. Oregon has been outscored 16-11 by opponents this season. The Ducks average 1.2 goals per game, while opponents average a 1.8 goals per game.
Three things to watch
1. Is it the Terps’ time? Sunday will mark 700 days since the Terps last scored a goal in a Big Ten conference match. Sunday presents a unique opportunity to snap that 12-game scoreless drought as the Terps will face a new Big Ten opponent.
2. Fixing things up. The start of Big Ten play has exposed many flaws within Maryland’s game that weren’t present during nonconference play. After getting outshot 17-2 by Michigan State and 20-3 by Washington, the Terps will look to clean things up for a better performance against Oregon.
3. Will the Terps have a big Sunday? Welcoming in a new team to the conference that failed to earn a win in 2023 presents a massive opportunity for Maryland to pull out a win.
