Preview: No. 2 Maryland field hockey gears up for top-five matchup against No. 5 Virginia

No. 2 Maryland field hockey (14-2) looks to rebound off its second loss of the season Wednesday against No. 5 Virginia (11-5). 

The Terps suffered their first Big Ten loss last time out against No. 3 Penn State.

“We really need to take advantage of our speed at all levels and that needs to step up defensively and intercept,” coach Missy Meharg said. “We’re maybe not picking the best shot selection and giving each other the amount of space, so I think we will continue to work hard on that and execute better.”

Midfielder Dani van Rootselaar put the Terps on the board first 4:33 into the first quarter with her 11th goal of the season. Van Rootselaar’s 11 goals is tied for third-most in the Big Ten.

Penn State tied the score back even with five minutes to go in the first off a Sophia Gladieux goal. 

The Nittany Lions blew the game open in the second after a three-goal quarter.

The Terps couldn’t answer the offensive rampage and entered halftime trailing 4-1. 

Entering the second half trailing, the Terps subbed goalkeeper Paige Kieft out of the game, replacing her with senior Christina Calandra. 

Calandra started the first five games for the Terps, posting a 4-0 record and 8 saves. Kieft took over from there, starting the last 11 games for a 8-2 record. Kieft’s registered 20 saves in the season for a 52.4% save percentage. 

Even with the change in net, Maryland couldn’t strike back against Penn State, losing 5-1 as the Nittany Lions added another goal in the fourth quarter.

With the loss to Penn State, Maryland now shares the Big Ten regular season championship with the Nittany Lions, but Penn State earned the tie-breaker with the win. Penn State has one more game to go, a road matchup at Rutgers on Friday.

Forward Hope Rose made her return to action against Penn State after missing the past five games for the Terps. Rose ranked second in the Big Ten in goals at the time of her lower-body injury (10). Rose has also added seven assists for the Terps. 

Midfielder Bibi Donraadt has also been a key contributor offensively for the Terps, registering nine goals and 10 assists. Donraadt’s 28 offensive points is the fourth-most in the Big Ten.

Forward Leah Crouse has come up clutch for the Terps, posting five game-winning goals this season. The Duke graduate transfer has nine goals and four assists for the Terps.

It’s the Maryland defense, more-so than the offense, that needs a vastly improved showing against the Cavaliers.

“You want to get things organized,” Meharg said. “Deep defense. That’s been our bread and butter on here and we just need to snap off our passes and get back in sync together.”

Virginia enters off a 3-0 win against Kent State on senior day, and the Cavaliers enter College Park for their season finale. 

Virginia held Kent State to only three shots the whole game, while the Cavaliers attempted 21 themselves. Virginia also registered more penalty corners in the match, leading the category 7:2.

Virginia enters the game averaging 2.18 goals per game, allowing only 1.31 per game on the defensive end. The Cavaliers enter with an average win margin of 1.31 goals per game. 

Senior striker Laura Janssen is the leading scorer for Virgina, with 10 goals and two assists on the season. 

Midfielder Daniela Mendez-Trendler has also contributed offensively for Virginia, adding eight goals and three assists.

The Virginia defense is led by goalkeeper Jet Trimborn. Sophomore Tyler Kennedy started in goal for the Cavaliers at the beginning of the season, but was replaced by Trimborn after posting a 3-3 record to start the season.

Since the goalkeeper switch, Virginia has gone 8-2. Trimborn has registered 22 saves for a 68.8% save percentage in ten games started, allowing 0.97 goals per goal.  

All-time, the Terps are 42-22-2 against the Cavaliers. The last match was the 2019 Elite Eight, where Maryland fell 1-0 in overtime. 

“You will always want to play the best to be the best,” Meharg said.

The game on Wednesday will start at 5 p.m. and will take place at the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex in College Park.