No. 5 Maryland field hockey eliminated from Big Ten Tournament in 4-3 shootout loss to No. 9 Michigan

Photo courtesy of Rose Fernandes/ Maryland Athletics

After the referees disallowed Michigan’s game-tying penalty goal, the Wolverines had another chance with 14 seconds left in regulation to tie the game and force overtime with the goalkeeper pulled. 

The Wolverines did just that as Juliette Manzur redirected a shot from Lora Clarke over the head of goalkeeper Alyssa Klebasko, diving from her right to her left to send the Wolverines to overtime for the second consecutive game.

No. 9 Michigan could not find the game-winner in either overtime period, sending No. 5 Maryland to a shootout for the second consecutive day. But with goals from Lora Clarke and Kate McLaughlin in the shootout, the Wolverines needed just one save from goalkeeper Hala Silverstein to win the game.

Defender Rayne Wright stood as Maryland’s last chance in the Big Ten Tournament. The senior moved right and attempted to slide the ball under Silverstein, but the shot went wide, sending a wave of yellow and blue onto the field.

Backed by three penalty corner goals, Michigan (14-4, 5-3 Big Ten) edged out Maryland (13-6, 6-2) 4-3 in a shootout, eliminating the Terps from the Big Ten Tournament on Friday at the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex.

“We struggled more than usual with our [penalty] corner defense,” head coach Missy Meharg said. “They’re ruthless in their pursuit in the front right quadrant of the field defensively, and we struggled with that pressure.”

The Wolverines entered the Big Ten Tournament as the second-highest-scoring team and found its offensive rhythm in the second quarter. Michigan drew three penalty corners in the second quarter and was able to tie the game on its final chance. After a fake shot play, Michigan defender Abby Burnett swung a pass to her left to midfielder Pilar Oliveros, ripping a shot between the legs of Klebasko.

After Maryland forward Hope Rose gave the Terps a 3-1 lead, Michigan continued to strike on penalty corners in the second half. On Michigan’s third penalty corner within a 41-second span the Wolverines generated its first shot on goal during the sequence of penalty corners. Klebasko made the save on the initial shot, but the rebound went straight to Clarke positioned at the left post, who cut Maryland’s lead back to one.

Maryland shut out Michigan in its prior matchup this season against the Wolverines and when asked if Michigan changed its penalty corner formation coach Missy Meharg said it didn’t change.

While both Michigan and Maryland went beyond regulation in the quarterfinals, Michigan scored in the first overtime frame while Maryland needed a shootout to decide its contest.

“I have to watch (the film),” Meharg said when asked about whether the team was fatigued. “I think they had more fortitude and more resilience with space than we did, although I thought … the way that we were playing pressure cover and holding them was fine.”

The Terps needed more than 80 minutes on Thursday to score. But on Friday, Maryland secured a goal in the first quarter for only the eighth time all season. After a quick whistle during the 14th minute, a Maryland midfielder whipped a pass to midfielder Kylee Niswonger. The senior launched a shot from beyond the striking circle, but Rose redirected the shot inside the penalty corner, forcing Michigan goalkeeper Silverstein out of the net.

The redirection gave Silverstein trouble as it bounced off her left leg and directly into the center of the striking circle. Maryland forward Maci Bradford found the rebound and potted it into the empty net.

“Not only she [did] get a goal, she played great defense for us,” Meharg said about Bradford. “She’s a dynamite young player, and today was a big game for her.”

Less than 50 seconds after Michigan tied the game, Maryland reclaimed the lead on a penalty corner. A block off the foot of 2024 Paris Olympian Abby Tamer in the shooting circle gave Maryland its second consecutive penalty corner.

Instead of taking a shot off the hold like Maryland did on its prior penalty corner, defender Josie Hollamon whipped a pass from the right to the left of the shooting circle. The pass connected with forward Ella Gaitan, who ripped a blister shot over the right shoulder of Silverstein, giving Maryland a 2-1 lead with 1:51 left in the second quarter.

The Terps had dominated all season in the third quarter, scoring over 38% of its goals in the third quarter heading into Friday’s contest. The Terps continued to dominate in the third quarter as a turnover near the 23-meter line of Michigan’s sparked a fast break for the Terps.

Midfielders Rose and Annemijn Klijnhout both scored during Thursday’s shootout win against Iowa. The two connected on three passes, sprinting up the left side, with Rose finishing the play by rifling a shot past Silverstein and into the right half on the net with 2:45 left in the third quarter.

But the Terps could not hold the lead, surrendering the game-tying goal in the final four seconds of regulation and ultimately falling in a shootout. 

The Terps will now await selection for the NCAA Tournament on Sunday night.