A demanding schedule
The University of Maryland women's soccer program unveiled its 2026 schedule this week, outlining a rigorous slate that blends home fixtures at Ludwig Field with a demanding non‑conference slate and a full complement of Big Ten battles.
Head coach Michael Marchiano, in his second year at the helm, said the schedule reflects the team's ambition to test itself against top‑tier opponents from the moment the season opens on August 16 against Fordham.
Early non‑conference matchups include contests with Farleigh Dickinson on August 20, as well as road trips to face Virginia Tech and Navy later in the month, setting the tone for a season that will also see the Terps open Big Ten play on the West Coast against Washington and Oregon.
September will bring a series of high‑profile home games, with Penn State, Wisconsin and UCLA slated to visit College Park, while the regular season will wind down with road contests at Michigan, Michigan State and Rutgers.
The roster will feature five incoming transfers and seven freshmen, adding fresh talent to a squad that finished 2025 with three consecutive shutouts to start the year, a promising foundation as the team looks to build on that momentum.