Playing in the toughest conference in the nation, it's difficult for the Terrapin women's soccer team to build up momentum during the season.
But when momentum does come, as it did with a 1-0 win against Miami on Sunday, the Terps do everything they can to make sure it stays as long as possible.
The Terps (5-6-1, 1-3-0 ACC) will try to carry that over to their next game when they take on No. 11 Duke on Sunday at 1 p.m. For the first time this season in the conference schedule, the Terps have reason to be happy.
"The energy in our locker room is fantastic right now," coach Brian Pensky said. "Our kids have prepared well all week and are excited to build off the victory over Miami."
While the Terps will be trying to retain momentum, the Blue Devils (9-2-1, 1-1-1) will be trying to get theirs back.
After suffering a 3-0 loss to in-state rival No. 2 North Carolina on Oct. 3, the Blue Devils come to College Park in search of a much-needed road win. Still, the Terps will have to put together a performance similar to the one they put on against Florida State two games ago if they hope to keep Duke on its current slide.
In that game, the Terp defense was everywhere and kept the Terps even with the Seminoles for more than 90 minutes. They dove in front of shots, cleared away potentially dangerous balls and did whatever was necessary to make sure the ball didn't go in the net.
The Blue Devil offense is averaging nearly three goals per game but has failed to score in two of its three ACC games. With center backs Becky Kaplan and Sade Ayinde and goalkeeper Mary Casey leading the way defensively for the Terps, they're confident they, too, can shut down Duke.
"Duke has an extremely talented front five - their two attacking center midfielders and three forwards," Pensky said. "So our defending will need to be sharp. We'll need to provide good cover for each other."
If they can do that successfully, the Terps' momentum should keep building, which is a rarity in the ACC.
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