Maryland women’s soccer’s Alyssa Poarch named WPSL Player of the Week

Current Terrapin and Coastal Atlantic FC Ospreys forward Alyssa Poarch has made a splash during her first season in the Women’s Premier Soccer League this summer, and was named Goal 5 Player of the Week Thursday.

Last weekend, Poarch scored seven goals in a span of 24 hours, giving her the title of the league’s leading scorer. The Middletown, Delaware, native currently has 16 goals in seven games and is maintaining a commanding league lead with 37 points, holding a 16-point lead over four other players. There are 119 teams in the WPSL, which is a three-month summer league that brings together high school, college, post-graduate and international players.

After putting three goals in the net against the OPSA Magic last Friday, the rising sophomore scored four more the next day against the Old Dominion Cesena USA. Due to Poarch’s contributions, the CAFC Ospreys won both matches comfortably, beating the Magic by four goals and Old Dominion by seven goals.

The Ospreys finished the season riding a four-game win streak and a record of 5-1-2, which allowed them to clinch the Colonial Division title. Poarch has scored in every game except the Ospreys’ season opener against the Philly Fever, which ended in a draw.

After redshirting her freshman year, Poarch started 12 games and appeared in 18 as a redshirt freshman in 2018. She finished the year ranked second on the team with six points.

With less than two months until Maryland women’s soccer season is set to begin, Poarch will look to maintain her scoring efficiency against Georgia Southern in the Terps’ home opener on Aug. 22 at Ludwig Field.

In other news

Thomas looked into Maryland gymnastics and where the program is headed after consecutive NCAA Tournament berths.

Maryland football’s passing game is counting on someone to step up, and the Terps’ new offense may depend on the slot position.

Former Maryland baseball outfielder LaMonte Wade joined the Minnesota Twins Thursday, making him one of four Terps to be on an active MLB roster.

Megan Taylor’s pro career is off to a strong start.

Jake Layman is a restricted free agent this summer, and InsideMdSports has a list of potential landing spots (including his current team, the Portland Trailblazers).

On Thursday, Layman returned to College Park to visit with the team.