Preview: No. 3 Maryland field hockey looks to remain undefeated against UNH

Following its win against No. 12 Harvard, No. 3 Maryland field hockey (5-0) gets set to face the UNH Wildcats (3-2) Sunday in its second game of the Terrapin Invitational.

“What I like in terms of responding is that we don’t get panicked,” head coach Missy Meharg said.

The Terps found themselves down a goal in the second quarter following a score from midfielder Siofra Murdoch on the Crimson’s second penalty corner of the game. 

“I think we have to be more selfless in framing the goal cage so that we don’t crowd outside,” Meharg said. “We’ll continue to work on that.”

Maryland tied the game even in the second quarter after midfielder Leah Crouse beat goalkeeper Ellie Shahbo on a shot towards the left side of the net. 

Crouse scored again in the third quarter after intercepting the ball from Harvard’s offense, giving Maryland a 2-1 lead with her second goal of the game, fourth of the season. 

Maryland is off to a hot start, winning its first five games, the last three against ranked opponents.

The Terps have scored 20 goals this season, averaging four per game, and have allowed only five through five games thus far.

Maryland has limited the quality of shots that opponents have taken, with only 47.8% of its opponents’ shots being on goal this season. 

Forward Hope Rose leads the team in points (13), four goals and five assists. Crouse trails right behind Rose on the team with 10 points, four goals and two assists. Crouse and Rose are tied for the team lead in goals. 

After winning their first three games to open their 2022 campaign, the Wildcats have dropped their last two games to ranked opponents. New Hampshire fell 4-3 to No. 25 UMass last Sunday, and then lost 2-0 to No. 23 American on Friday in its first game of the Terrapin Invitational.

Against American, the Wildcats were stuck in a scoreless 0-0 tie going into the second half. However, two third period goals for American put the Eagles on top.

Freshman forward Tasmin Cookman leads the Wildcats in scoring, with five goals and three for 13 points. Senior forward Leah Glidden follows her with four goals on the season for New Hampshire. 

Senior goalkeeper Jemma Woods is tied for the second most saves in all of Division One, with 33 saves thus far this season. Woods averages 8.25 saves per game, allowing 1.98 goals per game. 

The Wildcats have been outshot by their opponents so far this season, attempting 57 shots to their opponents’ 75. They have struggled with limiting the quality of their opponents’ shots, with 64% being on goal. 

Historically, the Terps are undefeated against the Wildcats, 4-0. Their last game was a 5-0 victory on September 1st, 2019 in College Park. 

The game on Sunday will start at 2 p.m. and will take place at the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex in College Park.