Terps hope to push forward against North Carolina

When the 64-team NCAA Tournament bracket was announced last Monday, the members of the Terrapin women's soccer team knew, if they wanted to advance far into the tournament, North Carolina, winners of 19 NCAA championships, would be standing in the way.

With a 1-0 win against Washington State on Sunday, the Terps punched their ticket to the Sweet Sixteen and a match against the Tar Heels.

In their two previous matches this season, North Carolina has outscored the Terps 4-0.
In the first round of the ACC Tournament on Nov. 4, the two teams' last meeting, the Terps managed to squeeze in only one shot.

"This time, we're aiming for two," coach Brian Pensky joked.

But if the Terps want to beat the vaunted Tar Heels for the first time in program history, they will need to coax up some kind of offense. The Tar Heels use a 3-4-3 formation, with only three defenders in the back.

But their defense is quick and athletic, managing to slow down All-ACC first team performer Jasmyne Spencer on numerous occasions. But even though the Terps were unsuccessful in previous games against the Tar Heels, Pensky is trying to keep his team's mindset steady.

"In terms of our mood and approach — everything is status quo right now," Pensky said. "But we've learned from their constant physicality and the pressure of their defense."

Many of the passes the Terps tried to advance up the field were stopped by the Tar Heels in the teams' two previous meetings. The Terp midfield took too long to send passes behind the backline to a streaking defense. A retreating North Carolina defender or the goalkeeper playing up would pick off the pass and end the Terps' limited possession.

In order to score goals against North Carolina, a feat none of their opponents have accomplished in their last seven matches, the Terps want to deceive the Tar Heel defense and find counter-attack opportunities created by the Tar Heels' constant pressure.

"Their pressure is so furious, but that also allows you to be successful," Pensky said. "If you can keep possession and have some technique and awareness, you can spring a player behind their team. They attack so quickly and so passionately with numbers; often the space in the backside is open."

Defenders Whitney Engen, Kristi Eveland and Rachel Givan anchor the Tar Heel defense. Engen was recently named the ACC's Defensive Player of the Year.

Saturday, the Terps will try to score against the North Carolina defense for the first time in more than 270 minutes of action, a streak that dates back to 2007.

"Obviously, we need to try to adjust some things," Pensky said, "[because] we're 0-2 against them this season."

eckard@umdbk.com