Quality over quantity was the name of the game on Sunday for No. 1 Maryland field hockey.
The Terps took just 11 shots and forced a mere three corners but made the most of the few opportunities they had, topping Ohio State, 4-0.
On Friday against Michigan State, Maryland went missing in the penalty corner department, as the Terps went 0-for-11 on set pieces. It took just one set piece for the Terps to improve Sunday. In the sixth minute of the contest, Francisca Eschoyez dragged a shot through the mass of bodies to find the backboard of the cage and give the Terps an immediate 1-0 lead. The goal was Eschoyez’s team-leading ninth score of the season – eight of which have come via corners.
“Yesterday at training, we actually worked a lot on [penalty corners],” said head coach Missy Meharg. “So, it’s about practicing it and just showing the faith that it’s going to fall.”
Outside of Eschoyez’s goal, there wasn’t much action in the first frame, as Maryland attempted three shots and held Ohio State to zero. This continued a trend from Friday, as Maryland dominated defensively and controlled the ball for large swaths of the period. Unlike the previous contest, the Terps exited the opening frame with a lead.
Maryland stepped on the gas to start the second quarter, using its rapid pace to further extend its lead. 1:20 into the period, Josie Hollamon had the ball at the top of her own shooting circle. 10 seconds later, Babs van Hest received the ball on the opposite shooting circle and rocketed a shot to the bottom right corner of the net to double the advantage. The Terps used three simple passes to outrun the Buckeyes, a perfect snapshot of the Terps’ recipe to success.
Maryland’s defense has been outstanding to begin games, and Sunday was no exception. The Terps have allowed just four first-half goals all season.
“We have the mentality that we’re not going to let [the opponents] in our circle and we’re not going to let them take good shots,” goalkeeper Alyssa Klebasko said earlier in the season.
Neither team formulated much offense in the third frame, as evidenced by a mere two shots across the entire period. Most of the action remained in the middle third, with a combination of stingy defense and turnovers keeping both offenses in check.
Ohio State kept Maryland’s offense quiet more than the Terps would’ve liked on Sunday. According to Meharg, Ohio State marked Maryland’s center-midfielders and forwards while it used a zone elsewhere. The shape made it difficult for Maryland to generate offense. However, the floodgates opened for good in the final frame.
Feliz Kuhne came out guns ablazing in the fourth quarter to secure her team’s 14th straight victory. The sophomore midfielder notched a pair of goals – one from a corner and another off a long pass from Hollamon – to double her season total.
On the other end, Klebasko and Ryleigh Osborne teamed up to deliver the Terps’ seventh shutout of the campaign, delighting the 1,462 fans – a season-high by almost 1,000 – that packed the Plex on Sunday.
“It’s so fun to have people around us celebrating us,” Kuhne said. “The energy they gave us also helps us on the field run harder, give harder balls and celebrate some goals as well.”
The Terps will certainly celebrate the weekend sweep, but the biggest test is up next. On Thursday, the Terps will travel to Evanston for a massive showdown with No. 2 Northwestern. The matchup is arguably the most anticipated collegiate field hockey regular season contest in years.
Three things to know
- Shots were few but productive. Maryland only took 11 shots, its second-fewest of the season. However, the Terps converted at a 36% rate, plenty enough to snatch the win.
- Crucial stretch looms. Maryland’s final three games will be the toughest of its season. The Terps travel to No. 2 Northwestern and No. 11 Indiana before they host No. 6 Iowa to conclude the regular season.
- It’s almost tournament time. Currently, the Terps are in contention to secure the top seed and a first-round bye in the Big Ten tournament. If Maryland fails to do that, they’ll likely be the second or third seed. Possible first round draws could include Rutgers, Michigan and both of the Terps’ last two opponents.