Maryland field hockey scores eight unanswered goals in 8-1 rout of Lock Haven

Photo courtesy of Ashley Ray/Maryland Terrapins

Already up by two goals, Maryland sought to put the game away in the third quarter with a penalty corner. Emma Deberdine centered the ball for Ericka Morris-Adams and set up Ella Gaitan to swing a pass for Josie Hollamon.

The sophomore rifled a shot on net that Kylee Niswonger redirected for her second goal, putting Maryland (4-2) up three goals.

The Terps had been shutout in each of their past two games but, backed by a plethora of depth-scoring, Maryland cruises past Lock Haven (1-5) 8-1 on Sunday at The Plex. 

“I think the outcome of [the Virginia and Duke] games are, they’re tough to swallow,” coach Missy Meharg said. “You have to be more opportunistic when you do pull the goalie.”

The Terps did pull the goalie with the final seconds to work on being up a player according to Meharg and Maryland delivered as Niswonger potted her third of the game. The senior entered the game with two career goals and more than doubled her total with her first collegiate hat trick.

The Terps could not capitalize on numerous chances in the second quarter, but they blew the game wide open in the third, recording four goals. But the quarter started with a flukey goal. An own goal by Lock Haven gave Fleur Knopert her second goal of the season, making her the first Terp to record multiple goals on the season.

“We were kind of carrying a little bit too much in the second quarter,” said Niswonger when asked about halftime adjustments. “We just really wanted to focus on what we do best, and that’s passing.”

After Niswonger recorded her second goal, the Terps’ depth dominated the remainder of the game. Another penalty corner created a rebound opportunity for Alina Gerke, who chipped the ball over goalkeeper Kelsey Felix to give Maryland a 5-1 lead.

Ellie Goldstein capped the scoring in the third quarter, and Leah Horwitz’s fourth-quarter goal made it six different goal-scorers for Maryland in the game.

“I think that just shows like we have the skill, like coming out of anywhere on the field,” Niswonger said on the team’s depth scoring. “It is really nice to see that we can just throw a ball in and someone’s going to be there and … get a touch on it.”

Maryland’s prior two games both started cagey, as the offenses tried to feel out the defenses before striking. 

The Terps entered Sunday’s game with six goals on the season, and they more than doubled their season total, scoring eight unanswered goals.

Lock Haven wasted no time getting on the board as Elien Boss capitalized on the Bald Eagle’s second consecutive corner in the opening 70 seconds. The Terps seemed as if they were going to survive the opening barrage as Alyssa Klebasko made a fantastic diving save on Brooke Hofsass, but the rebound went straight to Boss by the right post.

Maryland’s offense had been led by depth scoring all season as the Terps entered Sunday’s matchup with six total goals from six different goal scorers. The depth continued to shine in the first quarter as nearly a minute after surrendering the first goal, Knopert centered a pass from the left baseline to a wide-open Niswonger, who redirected the ball into an empty net.

Just minutes later, Carly Hynd found herself one-on-one with Felix on a fast break opportunity. The senior drove the ball to her left side before chipping the ball over Felix’s right shoulder to give Maryland a 2-1 advantage.

Hynd’s goal not only made her the eighth Terps to record a goal this season but also matched a season-high in goals in a single game. 

The Terps’ offense continued to dominate in the second quarter, but Felix stifled the Maryland offense and prevented it from blowing the game wide open. The junior recorded four saves in the second quarter with numerous coming on penalty corners. 

Maryland made a moot point of Felix’s great quarter, scoring four goals in the third quarter to blow the game wide open.

Meharg’s squad will stay in College Park for the start of Big Ten play against No.11 Rutgers on Friday.