Paige Foye Scores First Career Goal as Maryland Women’s Soccer Battles No. 24 Michigan to 1-1 Draw
By Brian Hradsky
October 26, 2026
The University of Maryland women’s soccer team earned one of its most encouraging results of the 2026 season Thursday night, battling No. 24 Michigan to a 1-1 draw at U-M Soccer Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Freshman defender Paige Foye scored her first collegiate goal in the 67th minute, responding just over three minutes after the Wolverines had taken the lead. Goalkeeper Faith Luckey delivered an outstanding performance with a season-high nine saves, while Meredith Fisher contributed another save during the closing stages. The result improved Maryland to 4-9-3 overall and 1-7-2 in Big Ten competition, giving the Terrapins their first non-loss against a nationally ranked opponent since 2022.
Michigan Controls Opening Half
Maryland entered Thursday’s matchup facing a difficult challenge against a nationally ranked Michigan team competing for postseason positioning in the Big Ten. The Wolverines established offensive pressure early, maintaining possession and repeatedly creating opportunities near Maryland’s penalty area. Michigan outshot the Terrapins 11-2 during the opening 45 minutes, forcing the visitors to defend for extended stretches. However, Luckey delivered several important saves to keep the match scoreless.
Maryland generated its first shot in the 10th minute when McKinley Heaven attempted to create an early scoring opportunity. The Terrapins struggled to establish consistent offensive possession afterward, allowing Michigan to control much of the action. The Wolverines began testing Luckey more frequently as the half progressed, but the Maryland goalkeeper repeatedly responded. Her positioning and reactions prevented Michigan from establishing an advantage.
Luckey recorded her first save in the 22nd minute before producing several important stops during the following minutes. She made consecutive saves in the 29th minute, helping Maryland withstand one of Michigan’s strongest offensive stretches. By halftime, Luckey had collected six saves and kept the Wolverines off the scoreboard. Her performance allowed Maryland to enter the locker room tied despite facing a substantial disadvantage in shots.
Luckey Delivers Season-Best Performance
Luckey emerged as one of Maryland’s most important contributors, finishing with nine saves during 62 minutes of action. The goalkeeper faced repeated pressure from Michigan’s attack but maintained her composure throughout the opening half and early stages of the second. Her ability to react to shots from different angles prevented the Wolverines from converting several promising opportunities. The performance established a season high in saves.
The goalkeeper continued her strong effort after halftime, recording another save during the 48th minute. Michigan maintained its offensive pressure, but Luckey prevented the Wolverines from establishing a lead during her time on the field. She completed 62 minutes without allowing a goal, giving Maryland an opportunity to remain competitive against a nationally ranked opponent. Her performance provided an important foundation for the eventual draw.
Luckey’s nine saves were particularly impressive because Michigan generated 22 total shots and placed 11 attempts on goal. Maryland’s defensive unit faced constant pressure and needed dependable goalkeeping to prevent the contest from becoming one-sided. The Terrapins benefited from Luckey’s experience and ability to organize the defense. Her performance was among the most encouraging individual efforts of Maryland’s season.
Michigan Breaks Through in Second Half
Michigan finally opened the scoring at 63:11 when Melisa Kekic finished an opportunity created by Lilley Bosley. The goal was Kekic’s first of the season and came after the Wolverines had generated numerous scoring chances throughout the contest. Bosley received the assist, giving Michigan a 1-0 advantage with approximately 27 minutes remaining. The goal represented a significant challenge for Maryland after the Terrapins had spent much of the match protecting a scoreless tie.
The breakthrough came shortly after Maryland made a goalkeeping change, with Fisher replacing Luckey. Michigan continued pressing forward and eventually converted its 18th shot of the match. The goal rewarded the Wolverines’ sustained offensive pressure and placed Maryland in a difficult position. The Terrapins needed an immediate response to avoid another conference defeat.
Despite falling behind, Maryland maintained its composure and continued searching for an equalizer. The Terrapins had generated limited offensive opportunities but remained within one goal because of their defensive effort. Their response came through an unusual scoring sequence involving a long free kick. Foye delivered the decisive moment just over three minutes after Michigan had taken the lead.
Foye Scores First Collegiate Goal to Tie Match
Foye produced the equalizer at 66:32, scoring her first career goal to bring Maryland level at 1-1. The freshman defender took a long free kick that traveled into Michigan’s defensive area before bouncing through the Wolverines’ back line and into the net. The goal was officially recorded as unassisted and represented one of the most important moments of Maryland’s season. The unexpected finish erased Michigan’s advantage and gave the Terrapins renewed confidence.
The goal was especially significant because Maryland had struggled to generate scoring opportunities against Michigan’s organized defense. The Terrapins finished with only seven total shots and two attempts on target, making Foye’s finish particularly valuable. Her ability to capitalize on a set-piece opportunity demonstrated the importance of remaining aggressive even when an opponent controls possession. The freshman delivered when Maryland needed a response.
Foye played all 90 minutes and contributed defensively throughout the contest. Her goal provided an additional reward for a player who had spent much of the match helping contain Michigan’s attack. The performance demonstrated her versatility and ability to influence the game from a defensive position. Maryland will look for continued development from Foye as she gains collegiate experience.
Fisher Helps Preserve Draw During Closing Minutes
Fisher played the final 28 minutes in goal after replacing Luckey during the second half. The goalkeeper faced immediate pressure as Michigan continued searching for a winning goal. Although Kekic scored shortly after Fisher entered, she responded by helping Maryland maintain its defensive organization. Fisher finished with one save while protecting the 1-1 score.
The closing stages remained challenging because Michigan continued generating opportunities. Maryland’s defenders maintained their positioning and prevented the Wolverines from converting another scoring chance. Fisher made an important save during the final minute, helping secure the draw. The Terrapins completed the match without allowing another goal after Kekic’s breakthrough.
Maryland’s ability to preserve the tie demonstrated the importance of contributions from both goalkeepers. Luckey’s nine saves prevented Michigan from building an early advantage, while Fisher helped protect the result after Foye’s equalizer. Their combined efforts accounted for 10 saves against a ranked opponent. The performance highlighted Maryland’s resilience despite spending much of the contest defending.
Michigan Dominates Statistical Categories
The Wolverines finished with a commanding 22-7 advantage in total shots and placed 11 attempts on goal compared with two for Maryland. Michigan also earned five corner kicks, while the Terrapins generated four. The statistical differences reflected the Wolverines’ ability to maintain offensive pressure and control possession for extended stretches. However, Michigan struggled to convert its opportunities into goals.
Maryland’s limited offensive production made defensive execution especially important. The Terrapins generated only two shots during the opening half and five after halftime. Jolie Farmer led Maryland with three shots, including one on target, while Foye recorded the team’s other shot on goal. The Terrapins needed an efficient finish to secure the draw.
Michigan’s Melisa Kekic led the Wolverines with five shots, including four on target, while Ella Jablinskey recorded six attempts. The Wolverines generated opportunities from several different players but could not overcome Maryland’s goalkeeping performance. Michigan goalkeeper Malia Zillman finished with one save while allowing Foye’s equalizer. The difference in shooting volume demonstrated how much Maryland relied on defensive resilience.
Maryland Earns Important Result Against Ranked Opponent
The draw carried significance beyond the conference standings because Maryland had struggled against nationally ranked opponents in recent seasons. Thursday’s result marked the Terrapins’ first non-loss against a ranked team since earning a 1-1 draw with No. 17 Georgetown in 2022. It was also Maryland’s first non-loss on the road against a ranked opponent since defeating No. 20 Rutgers 2-1 in 2019. The achievement provided an encouraging milestone for the program.
The result also marked Maryland’s first draw against Michigan in the 12-match history between the programs. The Wolverines entered the contest with a stronger conference record and significant offensive momentum, but the Terrapins prevented them from securing a victory. Maryland’s ability to respond after conceding demonstrated determination and composure. The performance represented one of the team’s strongest competitive efforts of the season.
Head coach Michael Marchiano’s team has experienced a difficult conference schedule, but the result against Michigan demonstrated the program’s potential. The Terrapins remained competitive against a ranked opponent despite facing substantial offensive pressure. Their ability to secure the draw provides a positive development during the final portion of the season. Maryland will look to build on the defensive effort and improve its offensive consistency.
Terps Continue Difficult Big Ten Schedule
Maryland’s draw against Michigan came during the final stretch of its regular-season schedule. The Terrapins previously defeated Northwestern 2-1 on October 11 before suffering a 3-1 loss to Iowa during their final home match October 16. Those results demonstrated both the team’s ability to compete against conference opponents and the challenges it has faced maintaining consistency. The Michigan draw provided another encouraging performance.
The Terrapins’ record of 4-9-3 reflects a difficult season, but several recent performances have demonstrated improvement. Maryland earned a scoreless draw against Nebraska on October 8 before defeating Northwestern three days later. The team then faced Iowa and Michigan, continuing a demanding stretch of Big Ten competition. The result in Ann Arbor demonstrated that Maryland could remain competitive against nationally ranked opposition.
Maryland’s final road trip includes additional conference challenges, making defensive consistency especially important. The Terrapins must continue improving their ability to generate offensive opportunities while maintaining the resilience demonstrated against Michigan. Their performance against the Wolverines provides a foundation for continued development. The coaching staff will look to translate those encouraging moments into stronger results.
MSB Take
Maryland’s 1-1 draw against No. 24 Michigan was one of the Terrapins’ most impressive results of the season because the team overcame significant statistical disadvantages to secure a point on the road. Luckey deserves considerable recognition for recording nine saves and keeping Michigan scoreless during her 62 minutes on the field. Her performance gave Maryland an opportunity to remain competitive despite being outshot 22-7. Fisher also contributed during the closing stages, helping preserve the result after the Terrapins equalized.
Foye’s first collegiate goal was another encouraging development because it demonstrated the importance of remaining aggressive even when scoring opportunities are limited. Her long free kick produced the equalizer just over three minutes after Michigan had taken the lead, preventing the Wolverines from maintaining control of the contest. The freshman also played the entire match and contributed defensively against a strong opponent. Her performance provides another positive storyline for Maryland’s developing roster.
The biggest concern remains Maryland’s inability to generate consistent offensive pressure. The Terrapins managed only seven shots and two attempts on goal, forcing their goalkeepers and defenders to withstand extended periods of pressure. That approach can produce occasional results, but Maryland needs stronger attacking production to compete consistently in the Big Ten. Nevertheless, earning a draw against a ranked opponent represents meaningful progress and provides an encouraging moment during a difficult season.
