Wearied women's soccer works on its finer points

At times this season, the physicality of the Terrapins women's soccer team's practice has mirrored that of a game, with players flying all over the field in full-sided scrimmages.

But with a week between a shocking loss at Miami and an important game at No. 6 Duke, coach Brian Pensky yesterday toned down the intensity as his team looked to not only recover physically but also refine parts of its game that have struggled recently.

As starters such as goalkeeper Yewande Balogun and defender Skyy Anderson looked on from the sideline, the No. 15 Terps focused on the finer points of their technique, not the big picture.

"Not very taxing on their legs, so in some ways, another day of rest," Pensky said of the practice. "From a technical standpoint, it gives us time to do some things. It gives us time to give some kids some extra rest, as well. We're going to find some time to compete, as well, this week and do some small-sided stuff where they have to play with a little bit of an edge."

In practice yesterday, which forward Ashley Grove described as "nothing too heavy on our legs and nothing too heavy on our lungs," the team worked primarily on crossing and finishing. Given the number of one-goal losses and scoreless ties the team has endured this year, improvements in either could make a difference for the Terps.

"I feel like, you go back to our Wake game and you look at our Miami game," Pensky said, "we had some decent opportunities off of some crossing and some decent opportunities off some finishing, and things just weren't on the frame."

Against the Hurricanes, the Terps put eight of their 19 shots on goal, yet their attack yielded only one goal.

"We just couldn't get the bounce to go our way," Grove said. "We're just sharpening up. We do need work on finishing, but I have no doubt in my mind that anyone on our team can't finish, so we're just sharpening that."

With the Blue Devils traveling to play No. 3 Wake Forest tomorrow, the Terps are afforded not only an extra opportunity for rest but also a chance to gain an advantage over a potentially tired Duke squad.

"We hope Wake gives them a good game, but we hope that maybe we're fortunate enough that they'll play 110 minutes of soccer and beat each other up pretty good going into our Sunday game at Duke," Pensky said. "We're going to pay close attention."

TERPS NOTE: Given the ACC's depth, it's hardly surprising six league teams were ranked in the top 25 alongside the Terps. Wake Forest checks in at No. 3 and is the highest-ranked ACC team, with No. 6 Duke and No. 8 North Carolina also in the top 10. Virginia moved up three spots to No. 11, while Boston College took the biggest tumble, falling from No. 9 to No. 17. Florida State, in a swoon similar to the Terps' a month ago, is the final ACC team at No. 19.

dgallen@umdbk.com