After a scoreless regulation from both sides, the Terps looked to bounce back in overtime after losing in double overtime their previous time out against No. 7 Princeton.
Four minutes into overtime, Maryland picked up the first penalty corner of the period.
Dani van Rootselaar attempted the shot for the Terps, but was blocked by Michigan’s defense. Leah Crouse picked up the rebound on the right side of the goal and fired one past Wolverines goalkeeper Anna Spieker, lifting the Terps over the Wolverines as the packed crowd erupted in cheers.
“It felt like old times in the Atlantic Coast Conference,” coach Missy Meharg said.” “A lot of the games in the Big Ten now are bringing that same energy.”
No. 3 Maryland field hockey returned to College Park to take on No. 8 Michigan in its conference home opener.
The game started slow for both teams, as neither attempted a shot in the first seven minutes.
The only scoring opportunity of the first quarter came for the Wolverines when midfielder Abby Tammer’s shot missed wide over the goal at the 7:22 mark of the quarter.
Michigan’s defense held the Terps’ offense in check in the first, as Maryland never set into an offensive groove. Coming into the game, Michigan held opponents to 1.43 points per game and only six shots per game.
Four minutes into the quarter, Michigan drove the ball down field, seeming to gain momentum. Forward Katie Anderson had a good look at the goal, shooting from the right side on a fastbreak, but her shot missed wide.
Moments later, Maryland received the first penalty corner attempt of the match. Midfielder Emma DeBerdine sent the ball into Crouse. After a couple moves to get past the defender, Crouse’s shot missed wide left of the goal.
Forward Hope Rose had another good look for Maryland seconds later, but her shot also missed wide.
The rest of the quarter was quiet for both teams, as neither attempted another shot.
At the half, Michigan led in shot attempts 3:2. Neither team notched a shot on goal in the first half.
The first scoring opportunity of the second half came for Michigan. Forward/midfielder Sarah Prytek’s shot was blocked by goalkeeper Paige Kieft, continuing the scoreless streak. Tamer got another shot attempt minutes later for the Wolverines, but that was blocked as well by the Terps’ defense.
Maryland received its first penalty corner of the half at the 8:19 mark of the third quarter. DeBerdine passed it into van Rootselaar, but the penalty corner was halted and Michigan gained possession.
Moments later, the Terps received another attempt. The pass went into defender Muara Verleg, but her shot missed wide right of the goal.
Maryland’s next attempt occurred with 3:53 remaining in the quarter. DeBerdine passed the ball to van Rootselaar, but her shot was blocked by the defense. On the next attempt, Verleg’s shot was saved by Spieker, her first save of the game.
The game remained scoreless at the end of the third. Maryland had four penalty corner attempts in the quarter, but couldn’t convert on any.
Maryland received a penalty corner with 9:02 left in the fourth, but the call was overturned after an official review.
Van Rootselaar came up with a good offensive look minutes later in front of the goal, but Spieker saved her shot.
Moments later, Maryland attempted its first corner attempt of the quarter. DeBerdine sent it into van Rootselaar, who fired a shot towards the goal, but her shot was saved by Spieker. Van Rootselaar attempted the shot on the next attempt, but that shot was blocked by Michigan’s defense.
Pyrtek received a ten minute yellow card with two minutes remaining for tripping Crouse. The Terps couldn’t capitalize on the yellow card, failing to score in the final two minutes, sending the game to overtime.
“What I’m so impressed with is the players and their IQ, they’re very coachable,” Meharg said. “They follow the game plan and we’ve been able to shift the presses at halftime pretty consistently so I felt the game was in our hands the whole time to be honest.”
Maryland’s offense picked up in the second half, recording nine shots to Michigan’s three.
Maryland received the first penalty corner in overtime with 6:28 left in the period. DeBerdine sent it into Dani Van Rootselaar, whose shot was blocked by the defense. Crouse picked up the rebound and rocketed a shot past Spieker, lifting the Terps over the Wolverines in their second straight overtime game. The game winner was Crouse’s six goal on the season.
“We honestly met with the coaches and then they gave us a new structure, a new set up with how we were gonna run the ball and like what our priority was,” Crouse said. “I think it ended up really working for us.”
Maryland will stay in College Park to face Michigan State Friday at 1 p.m.
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