Handing out awards to the Terps’ standout players in 2024.
Despite 2024 being on overall negative season for Maryland women’s soccer, there were still individuals who stood out and deserve some credit.
Here are some of those players separated by category category.
Forward of the Year
Redshirt sophomore Kelsey Smith
Smith recorded two goals and two assists in her second season with Maryland in 2024, which tied for third and second, respectively. As a primary forward for the Terps, playing 877 total minutes, she totaled 17 shots — six on goal — for a 11.8% shooting percentage and a 35.3% shots on goal percentage.
She scored against Stony Brook and notched the game-winner against Navy. Smith also had assists on both of Maryland’s goals in a 2-0 victory over Nebraska.
Defender of the Year
Redshirt sophomore Tahirah Turnage-Morales
Turnage-Morales was a workhorse for Maryland on the defensive end this season. After missing all of 2023 with an injury, she came back and logged 1,612 minutes. She led the defense in an effort to help out Liz Beardsley on the back end, blocking several shots throughout the season and making huge defensive plays.
Midfielder of the Year
Senior midfielder Lauren Wrigley
Wrigley did not record any points in 2024, and only notched four shots and two shots on goal, but she won Midfielder of the Year simply for her presence. She logged 1,430 minutes and was constantly involved in the action. She always set the tone and kept the Terps in matches they didn’t always belong in.
Freshman of the Year
Midfielder Emily Lenhard
Emily Lenhard emerged as a key part of Maryland’s squad this season. She tallied a goal and three assists, and took 16 shots — seven of which were on goal. Her biggest impact came as Maryland’s primary corner kicker, as her only goal of the season was an Olimpico goal directly off a corner against James Madison.
Most Improved Player
Senior defender Katie Coyle
In her second season with the Terps after transferring from Norte Dame, Coyle brought leadership to the program. She scored two goals on eight shots and notched an assist this season, and doing so as one of Maryland’s primary defenders. She scored her second goal in Maryland’s biggest win of the season over Nebraska and was a strong defender on the backline all season.
Coach of the Year
Interim head coach Michael Marchiano
After taking over for the departed Meghan Ryan Nemzer on Oct. 10, Marchiano led Maryland to a 1-3-1 Big Ten record, and the team scored three goals. Marchiano’s takeover ignited new energy, as the Terps were held scoreless for the previous 16 Big Ten matches under Ryan Nemzer.
Impact Player of the Year
S ophomore forward/midfielder/defender Kennedy Bell
It is very difficult to categorize Kennedy Bell’s role for Maryland, as she does it all for the Terps. She was tied for the lead with three goals and also notched two assists, leading the Terps with eight points. Bell took 11 shots and seven shots on goal for a 27.3% shooting percentage and 63.6% shots on goal percentage.
She scored two game-winning goals as well, and scored twice in the first 10 minutes against VCU. She constantly made hustle plays and was always around the action.
Most Valuable Player
Senior goalkeeper Liz Beardsley
In the past two seasons, there is one player who has stood above the rest for the Terps.
Beardsley was the anchor and star of this team in her second and final season in College Park after transferring from Georgia. From remarkable, unfathomable saves to single handedly forcing a draw and deciding outcomes for matches Maryland would’ve been destroyed in, Beardsley was undoubtedly the star of the team.
The stats don’t fully show the story due to the amount of high-danger chances she faced, but she was phenomenal nonetheless. She played every minute this season, making a total of 74 saves for a 67.9% save percentage. She allowed 35 goals against, but recorded five shutouts, while facing 239 total shots. As it was her final season in College Park, Beardsley’s presence will be severely missed.
Stat leaders
Points:
1. Kennedy Bell (8) 2. Delaney DeMartino, Kelsey Smith (6)
Goals:
1. Kennedy Bell, Delaney DeMartino (3) 2. Taryn Raibon, Katie Coyle, Kelsey Smith, Lisa McIntyre (2)
Assists:
1. Emily Lenhard (3) 2. Kennedy Bell, Kelsey Smith, Ava Morales, Ellie Egeland (2)
Shots:
1. Peyton Bernard (21) 2. Madison Krakower (18) 3. Kelsey Smith (17)
Shots on goal:
1. Kennedy Bell, Emily Lenhard (7) 2. Kelsey Smith, Madison Krakower, Peyton Bernard (6)
Minutes:
1. Liz Beardsley (1710) 2. Tahirah Turnage-Morales (1612) 3. Kennedy Bell (1500)