COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The first full weekend of conference play may have ended in a loss and a draw for the University of Maryland women's soccer team, but it also produced some of its best soccer this season.

After a slow start in its eventual loss to the University of Michigan Friday afternoon, the Terrapins rebounded to control the tempo of the game against Michigan State Sunday, even though the teams tied in double overtime.

While Coach Jonathan Morgan described the results as “disappointing,” he said he was proud of the way the team responded to its high-quality opponents.

“The kids did everything we wanted them too,” he said. “They created a lot of opportunities … but we weren't dangerous in the final attack phase, you have to be good when you have the opportunity. “

The Friday and Sunday game schedule was a significant change from ACC play, which usually schedules matches on Thursday and Sunday. An extra day of rest in between matches can be crucial for players, especially on a squad experiencing injuries on the front line.

The single rest day, however, didn't seem to slow the team down as it dominated the pace of the game in its second match. The Terrapins struggled to get shots off in the first half against Michigan but outshot Michigan State 23-8 over 110 minutes of play.

“Our fitness level is great,” Morgan said. “I think it showed on Sunday. Michigan State was dragging.”

The Terrapins lead Michigan State in all stats except for saves, thanks to solid performances from several midfielders including Riley Barger and Aubrey Baker and defender Shannon Collins in rerouting the ball away from the Maryland goal.

Michigan State's goalkeeper, Courtney Clem, had plenty of work to do as the Terrapins sent more than 20 shots toward the goal. Clem leads the Big Tem Conference in saves with 55 so far this season, according to Michigan State's website.

The team will continue to focus on its efficiency in front of the goal as it prepares to take on Iowa Thursday afternoon, Morgan said.

While taking 23 shots during a game shows quality effort, it's only the shots that go in that count.  

“You can be the dominant team but that doesn't necessarily mean a victory,” he said.

The team will play Iowa Thursday then travel to Nebraska for another road match on Sunday.

Catherine Sheffo, a junior journalism major at the University of Maryland, is a contributing writer to umterps.com.