A New Era Under Michael Marchiano
Michael Marchiano took the reins midway through the 2024 season and has since instilled a sense of direction for the Maryland women's soccer program. The team posted a series of conference wins in 2025, including back‑to‑back victories over Indiana and Purdue, marking the first such stretch since 2019. Those results lifted preseason expectations, with the Terps slated 17th in the Big Ten poll heading into 2026.
The early signs of progress are tempered by the reality of losing several cornerstone players. Former captain Kelsey Smith transferred to Florida, taking with her a team‑leading scoring record, while Ava Morales, the second‑leading scorer, departed the program entirely. Their combined offensive output accounted for more than half of the team's goals in the previous season, creating a sizable void.
Key Departures and Roster Turnover
Defensively, the loss of stalwarts Alyssa Abramson and Tahirah Turnage‑Morales removes over 3,000 minutes of top‑level play. Both were integral to a back line that struggled for consistency in 2024, and their absence will be felt across the defensive third. In goal, Faith Luckey returns as the starter, having posted 88 saves and a 76.5% save percentage last year, but the team must now adapt to a reshaped defensive structure.
Injury concerns also linger. Senior forward/midfielder Lisa McIntyre suffered a setback in a recent exhibition match, raising questions about her availability for the opening fixtures. Meanwhile, Gemma Davitian emerges as the top returning goalscorer, having found the net three times in seven starts, offering a modest but valuable source of offense.
Building Around New Talent
Maryland addressed the gaps by welcoming a wave of new talent. The most highly touted recruit, Ella Petry, was crowned the 2025‑26 South Carolina Gatorade Girls Soccer Player of the Year and joins a class that includes seven high school signees and five transfers. Among the transfers, Lilly Bane from Purdue is expected to make an immediate impact as an attacking midfielder, while Mckinley Heaven, a sophomore, earned a spot on the Big Ten "players to watch" list after scoring two game‑winning goals in conference play.
The midfield and attacking options are further bolstered by Gemma Davitian’s continued development and the potential return of Lisa McIntyre once she recovers from injury. The coaching staff believes the mixture of proven veterans and high‑profile newcomers can restore offensive firepower while maintaining defensive stability.
Confronting a Tough Big Ten Slate
The Terps open the 2026 campaign with a relatively favorable out‑of‑conference schedule, featuring a home game against Fordham and a road trip to Virginia Tech. However, the Big Ten schedule quickly becomes demanding, with matchups against No. 12 Washington, No. 22 Wisconsin, and No. 7 Michigan State on the horizon. These opponents represent some of the strongest competition in the conference and will serve as early barometers for the team’s progress.
Coach Marchiano acknowledges the challenges but remains focused on incremental improvement. By integrating new recruits, preserving the strengths of returning players, and adapting tactics to compensate for lost experience, Maryland hopes to translate early flashes of potential into consistent results throughout the season.