Maryland field hockey’s season ends with 2-1 loss to Northwestern in Final Four

Minutes into the fourth quarter, Northwestern received its fourth penalty corner of the game. The Wildcats looked to put the first points on the board after a scoreless 47 minutes from both sides.

Midfielder/backer Alia Marshall inserted the ball to forward Bente Baekers. Baekers rocketed a shot past goalkeeper Christina Calandra into the left corner of the goal to put Northwestern ahead 1-0 in the opening minutes of the fourth. 

Like previous games before, the Maryland offense was expected to propel the Terps back into the game, having won two of their previous bouts in the NCAA Tournament with second half comebacks.

Yet, the Terps offense had also seen a decline in production towards the later half of the season. After opening up the season boasting one of the top offenses in the nation, averaging 4.2 goals per game in their first 15 matches, the offense fell to only 2.2 goals per game their last seven games, a sign of things to come. 

Northwestern scored an empty net goal to go up two. The Terps scored a goal themselves with under two minutes left, but it was too late. 

On a cold day in November, Maryland field hockey faced a cold end to its season, falling 2-1 to Northwestern.

“Obviously, super disappointed for our team,” coach Missy Meharg said. “We’ve had such a phenomenal season.”

The match started slow, as Maryland midfielder Dani van Rootselaar attempted the only shot attempt for either side in the first five minutes. 

The Brown transfer made an immediate impact this season with the Terps, registering 12 goals, second most on the squad. Van Rootselaar scored both goals in the Terps’ 2-1 overtime victory over the Wildcats Oct. 2. 

The Wildcats received the first penalty corner with 8:40 left in the first quarter. Midfielder Katie Jones’ shot missed wide of the goal, keeping the game scoreless. 

Maryland shut down the next Wildcats scoring opportunity later in the quarter. Baekers drove towards the goal and flipped a backhanded shot, but it was blocked by the Maryland defense. 

Baekers entered the game with 23 goals on the season, tied for most in the Big Ten. 

Despite both sides having high-powered offenses, the game was scoreless at the end of one quarter with only three shots taken. Maryland entered averaging 3.63 goals per game, the most in the Big Ten, while the Wildcats averaged 2.56. 

The Wildcats had a scoring chance only 32 seconds into the second quarter, but again could not convert as Calandra recorded her second save of the game for the Terps. Calandra entered with the second-highest goals against average in the Big Ten, allowing only 0.94 goals. 

The Terps got their first good look minutes later. Midfielder Leah Crouse worked the ball into the offensive zone, and forward Hope Rose found a look at the goal. Rose’s shot was saved by goalkeeper Annabel Scubisz as the two teams fought for the ball near the goal, and the Wildcats prevailed. 

Scubisz registered 99 saves entering the game, the second-most in the Big Ten. In her two previous games against Maryland, Scubisz totaled 16 saves. 

Maryland received its first corner attempt moments later when midfielder Emma DeBerdine inserted the ball for a Maura Verleg shot. The defender’s shot was unsuccessful, getting blocked by a Northwestern defender before reaching the cage. 

Northwestern received its third corner attempt of the game with under two minutes left in the half. The insertion was misplayed by the Wildcats, halting the penalty corner before a shot was attempted.

Neither team could find the cage in the first, entering halftime scoreless. The Wildcats outshot Maryland 4:3 and received two more penalty corner attempts as well. 

Towards the middle of the third, Rose received a green card giving Northwestern a player advantage for two minutes. The Wildcats were unable to capitalize on the opportunity, however, failing to register a shot. 

Under three minutes left, the Terps moved the ball down the pitch quickly. Rose, with her back turned to goal, delivered a slapshot that was deflected by a defender. The Terps received a penalty corner due to the deflection.

Rose and Verleg both attempted shots that were blocked by Scubicz, keeping the game scoreless. 

In the closing minutes of the third, midfielder Chloe Relford received a green card for the Wildcats. The card allowed the Terps to enter the fourth with a fielder advantage.

The Terps could not capitalize and the Wildcats received their fourth penalty corner of the game.

Baekers converted on the attempt, putting the Wildcats ahead 1-0. 

Moments later, the Terps received a corner of their own, but miscommunication by midfielder Nathalie Fiechter and defender Riley Donnelly stalled the attempt. 

“Every single time we step on our field these women seem to find a way to compete, find a way to win” Meharg said. 

Maryland was unable to create another attempt in the minutes that followed, pulling Calandra with under four minutes left. 

Northwestern promptly responded to the empty net as Relford flipped a shot into the empty cage, extending the lead to 2-0. 

“We were fighting just like we have been all season,” defender Rayne Wright said. “We’ve played the greatest hockey probably in this last game that we have.”

The Terps showed life after the goal, however, as DeBerdine fired a shot past Scubicz to bring Maryland back within one goal with 1:15 left. 

Then with 37 seconds left, the Terps received a penalty corner with 37 seconds left. DeBerdine inserted the ball to van Rootselaar, but her shot was saved by Scubicz. 

Officials went to review to determine whether Scubicz covered the ball, which would result in a penalty stroke. Yet, there was not enough evidence to give the Terps the stroke, giving Northwestern the ball back. 

With one second left, the Terps received one last opportunity to score with a penalty stroke, but Rose’s shot was blocked, ending Maryland’s season.

“This team is so special, it just happened to end here,” Donnelly said.