Preview: No. 3 Maryland field hockey searches for rebound against No. 8 Michigan

After falling to No. 7 Princeton for its first loss of the season, No. 3 Maryland field hockey (7-1) looks to rebound Friday against No. 8 Michigan (4-3). 

“I wish we had probably spent a little bit more time looking at numbers and realities and seven-a-side you know, it’s our first time having a seven-a-side,” coach Missy Meharg said. “And I think that our corner defense, we’re going to sharpen that up.”

Maryland held Princeton to only one shot attempt in the first half to its six attempts, a large reason why the Terps entered halftime with a 1-0 lead. The lone first half goal came from midfielder Belle Bressler. 

After Princeton tied the game 1-1 in the third period, the Terps responded moments later when forward Margot Lawn found midfielder Bibi Donraadt open for a tap in goal, putting the Terps back ahead 2-1. 

Both Donraadt and Lawn have three goals and two assists on the season for the Terps.

Princeton once again answered, as forward Ali McCarthy received the ball off a deflected shot and tapped it into the goal to tie the game in the period’s closing minutes.

With under eight minutes left in the fourth, Maryland took the 3-2 lead when forward Hope Rose drilled a shot into the right corner of the goal past Princeton goalkeeper Robyn Thompson. 

The goal was Rose’s eighth of the season, tied for fourth both best among all Division One players. Along with her team lead in goals, Rose also leads the team with six assists.

Princeton answered with another girl, their third of the game, this time with two minutes left in regulation. Midfielder Beth Yeager tied up the game, rocketing a shot past Maryland goalkeeper Paige Kieft, sending the game to overtime. 

“That’s definitely one of the best drag flickers in the country,” midfielder Emma DeBerdine said. “We tried our best to get together to go against it but she’s just so talented.”

Neither team managed to pull away in the first overtime period, moving to a first-score-win second overtime period. 

Moments into the period, Princeton received a penalty corner. The ball went to Yaeger, who fired the ball into the left corner of the goal past Kieft to give Princeton the win.

“Paige has done just fine. I think she had five really good saves and our quarter defense was a little bit confused,” Meharg said. “We’ll clean up some things and get at that but I’m very pleased with her performance.”

The game was Kieft’s third collegiate start after senior Christina Calandra started the first five. Through three games, Kieft has recorded 10 saves and has allowed seven goals. 

Maryland’s defense has held its opponents to 1.5 goals per game. The Terps’ offense has been the strong suit of the team, scoring 4.13 goals per game, third best in the nation. Maryland is attempting 20.3 shots per game. 

Maryland will be the fifth ranked team Michigan faces this season. Michigan lost three of the previous four contests, with the lone win coming against No. 20 Wake Forest on August 28th. 

“I think they move really well,” Meharg said. “They’re super super fast and getting to leads and on the sidelines. We’re really going to look to be intercepting those leads that are heading out to the sideline.”

Michigan’s last game featured a 3-0 win over Cornell, as the Wolverines outshot Cornell 31-4.

The Wolverines have held their opponents to 1.43 goals per game, scoring 2.71 themselves. 

Midfielder Abby Tamer is the leading scorer for Michigan with six goals and two assists. Last year as a freshman, Tamer led Michigan in scoring with four goals and five assists.

Midfielders Lora Clarke and Alana Richardson have also contributed offensively, as both have scored three goals thus far. Richardson has also registered an assist for the Wolverines.

Anna Spieker has started all seven games in goal for the Wolverines. Spieker has allowed five total goals, coming up with 11 saves on 23 shots faced.

All time, Maryland is 15-4 against Michigan, featuring a 12 game win streak from 2003 to 2016. The last matchup was a 2-1 Terps win on October 24, 2021. 

Following Michigan, the Terps will stay in College Park and face Michigan State (4-2) Sunday. 

The game on Friday will start at 6 p.m. and will take place at the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex in College Park.