Preview: No. 3 Maryland field hockey prepares for top-ten matchup against No. 8 Princeton

Following a come-from-behind victory its last time out against No. 23 Ohio State, No. 3 Maryland field hockey (7-0) prepares for a test against No. 8 Princeton (3-3) Tuesday.

Princeton will be Maryland’s highest ranked opponent this season, the first inside the top-10. Four of the Terps’ seven wins thus far have occurred against ranked opponents.

Maryland overcame Ohio State with a fourth quarter surge in its first Big Ten test and its second road game of the season.

“We worked really hard on being present,” coach Missy Meharg said. “Every game in the Big Ten is going to be like this. It’s Big Ten hockey.”

The Terps struck first with a penalty corner goal in the second quarter as midfielder Dani van Rootselaar drilled the ball into the backboard.

The Buckeyes responded moments later when midfielder Hallie Brost beat Maryland goalkeeper Paige Kieft, flicking the ball into the top left corner. Last game was just Kieft’s second collegiate start. 

The game remained tied entering halftime. The Terps were unable to take advantage of scoring opportunities as they outshot the Buckeyes 13:3, with seven shots on goal.

Maryland struggled offensively in the third quarter, attempting only three shots. 

Minutes into the third, the Buckeyes received their first penalty corner of the game. Forward Sarah Charley’s shot deflected off of Maryland defender Ericka Morris-Adams’ foot into the goal, giving the Buckeyes a 2-1 lead.

Maryland trailed entering the fourth quarter, the first deficit the Terps faced in the second half all season. The Terps responded in a big way.

“We’ve practiced this a lot, we’ve got every situation that we’ve been put into play,” Meharg said. “We’ve simulated it so you know I don’t think they’re surprised by it.”

Forward Hope Rose tied the game on a penalty stroke four minutes into the quarter. The score was Rose’s seventh of the season, the team lead. Rose also leads the team with five assists. 

Moment’s after Rose’s goal, Maryland took the lead when van Rootselaar found midfielder/forward Leah Crouse for a tap-in goal behind the goalkeeper. Crouse is second on the team in both goals (five) and assists (three). 

Van Rootselaar extended the Maryland lead to 4-2 as the clock ticked down for her second goal of the game. Van Rootselaar has four goals and two assists on the season. Van Rootselaar’s score was the final of the game.

Rose and van Rootselaar have both registered over 30 shots this season. Midfielder Bibi Donraadt is next closest with 15.

Maryland has held its opponents to 1.14 goals per game, while its offense has scored 4.29 goals per game.

After opening the season losing its first two games, Princeton won its next three before dropping to No. 1 Northwestern its last time out.

After a scoreless first half, midfielder Beth Yeager scored moments into the third quarter to give Princeton the first goal of the game. Yaeger leads the tigers in both goals (four) and assists (three). Last season, Yeager won the Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year, only the second freshman to win an Ivy League Player of the Year Award.

Northwestern scored a goal late in the fourth to tie the game and scored again in overtime for the win. 

Princeton has scored 2.83 points per game this season, holding its opponent to 1.83. Goalkeeper Robyn Thompson has 34 saves with a save percentage of .756%.

In the all-time matchup between the schools, Maryland is 22-4 against Princeton. The Terps narrowly defeated the Tigers the last time they met, 4-3 in 2021.

The game on Tuesday will start at 4 p.m. and will take place at Bedford Field in Princeton.