The University of Maryland’s women’s soccer team completed their season with an acceptable record, which consisted of a greater number of wins than their previous 2024 season. The soccer team’s record was 6-11-1, gaining two more wins than their last season. With their players and coaching tactics, their team is progressing each year and they are taking the next steps to improve.
The team’s home games and crowd assisted them in their wins. All six of their wins this season were home wins with an adequate crowd that cheered them on. The team started strong with a 3-0 win against Lehigh University. They created a winning streak at their next two games with a grand 5-0 win against Saint Francis University and a tough 1-0 win against UMBC. Along the road they beat Navy University, Indiana University and Purdue University. These games were all thrilling and suspenseful with close, 2-1 wins. The team’s top goal scorer was Kelsey Smith.
Not only does the team value crowd support and love inspiring young athletes but these crowds and young athletes also enjoy watching and supporting the team. Senior Megan Lomotan said, “I have been to countless UMD soccer games and they have really inspired me. Now I am committed to college for soccer and I can’t wait to experience what they do.”
The team spends countless hours together whether it means they are playing soccer or simply bonding as a team and growing their connections with each other. Team bonding is a strong quality and builds chemistry between players on the field, which accommodates their wins. Number eight, UMD women’s soccer player and Wootton alum Kate Hawley said, “On game days, we typically arrive at the locker room four to five hours before the game to have a team meal together. We eat, listen to music, braid hair and get ready for the game together. We also spend lots of time off the field together, which definitely helps with team chemistry.”
In addition to the countless hours the team spends together, they also travel to different colleges around the country for their games. Hawley said, “One of my favorite parts of this past season was getting to travel as a team. We are lucky that we get the opportunity to travel the country to play soccer, and even luckier to do it together.”
Although they worked hard to obtain these wins, they also faced losses that were major learning lessons for the team and were useful in clarifying what they needed to work on and improve later down the road. They had 11 losses overall that were all close games. They lost against Old Dominion, Florida, James Maddison, Penn State, USC Los Angeles, UCLA Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Michigan and Ohio State. The majority of these games were away, which affected the team’s dynamic and caused them to lose their home game advantage; however, they were still close and nail-biting games. Hawley said, “In our season, all of the games we played were tough. However, I think the games against Big 10 opponents were definitely more challenging.”
Just because the season is now over and they have a year until they play more league games, doesn’t mean their training together is over for the upcoming seasons. The team has countless requirements and room for improvement and they utilize this time wisely to focus on how they will refine their next season. Hawley said, “We get a six week long winter break where we go home and have a packet of workouts, including running and strength training. Then, we come back in the spring and practice four to five days a week, lifting three days a week. The spring is the time where we improve as a team, and it’s a really special, important, and fun time for all of us.”
The team had a fun season together, which allowed them to grow their bond and connections even further. They are looking forward to their next season and working together to revamp the team and show off their improvements. They enjoy playing together and being able to play for their friends, families and fans. Junior Adriana Colomo said, “The team chemistry is really good and they all seem like one big family. I am excited to go to their games next year and see their improvements.”
