No. 11 Maryland field hockey to close out the regular season against Northeastern

Photo courtesy of Kevin Snyder/Maryland Terrapins

Earlier this week, Maryland field hockey’s offense was stifled by No. 3 Virginia in the first half of a 0-2 loss. 

The Terps have had four days to work on the lessons they learned from the loss to the Cavaliers, which have revolved around offensive aggression and pressure.

“[We’re] just doing whatever we can to put the ball in the back of the net, if that’s diving for balls, getting our left hand on the ground, just anything we can so we can score,” junior captain Josie Hollamon said.

No. 11 Maryland (9-7, 5-3 Big Ten) will look to carry that improvement into its regular season finale against Northeastern (9-7) at home at the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex in College Park.

The Terps will honor four seniors on senior night: defenders Ava Trexler, Fleur Knopert and Ericka-Morris Adams, and forward Leah Horwitz

“We’re taking it as the most important game of the season, it’s a very important one to score some goals and get some confidence back, but we’re not seeing it as it’s gonna be a tough game. And we’re still gonna have to bring the standard that we brought to the Northwestern game,” Morris-Adams, a team captain, said.

Considering the history between these two teams, it’s fair for Morris-Adams to assume this won’t be a tough game. The last time Maryland played Northeastern, itwon 6-0, and the Huskies lost 1-4 to No. 12 Monmouth in their most recent game.

Senior forward Emilia Adragna leads Northeastern in goals (7) and points (15). Her shots on goal percentage this season is 76%, above the average range of 60-70%. She also leadsthe Coastal Athletic Association ingame-winning goals.

Midfielder Alex Mega has amassed seven assists this season. The junior tacked on two moreduring the Boston University game, which Northwestern won 3-1.

The Huskies have two goalies who have both played a fairshare of games this season. Both have similar save percentages, so either could pose a threat in the net in this upcoming game. 

Graduate Arabella Loveridge is second in the CAA for save percentage (75.6%). Her backup, Ibby Welldon, has played three games and has maintained asave percentage of 75%.

Maryland’s offense has faced stalwart goalkeepers before, however. 

The Terps most recently faced Virginia’s Nilou Lempers, who leads the nation in goals against average (.457) and save percentage (89.1%). Lempers shut out the Terps and recorded six saves.

Maryland fared a bit better against Northwestern’s Juliana Boon. The redshirt freshman leads the Big Ten in goals against average and save percentage by a wide margin, but the Terps were able to fire a goal past her and tally 10 shots.

Maryland will take on another formidable goalkeeper against Northeastern at 11 a.m.