Preview: No. 4 Maryland field hockey prepares for top-five matchup against No. 2 Northwestern

No. 4 Maryland field hockey (10-1) looks to stay undefeated in conference play as the Terps continue their roadtrip to face No. 2 Northwestern (10-1). 

Maryland secured a 2-1 victory over No. 3 Iowa its last time out.

The first half was a defensive battle with no goals and just four shots taken in the half. 

Iowa got on the board first with 2:53 left in the third quarter when Alex Wesneski intercepted a pass near Maryland’s goal and snuck the ball past goalkeeper Paige Kieft to give the Hawkeyes the 1-0 lead. 

Kieft has started the past six games for the Terps after senior Christina Calandra started the first five. Kieft has allowed 1.61 goals per game, registering 16 saves in the process. 

Maryland tied the game moments later on a penalty corner. Bibi Donraadt inserted the ball to Nathalie Fiechter, who set up Dani van Rootselaar. Van Rootselaar rocketed the ball past goalkeeper Grace McGuire, bringing the score to one apiece. 

Van Rootselaar ranks fifth on the team in points with four goals and two assists.

Neither team scored again in regulation, sending the game to overtime. The Terps received the first penalty corner in overtime 3:13 into the period. 

“Being tired is the story of life and our game and clearly that’s going to be this league,” coach Missy Meharg said. “The bottom line is you got to be ready for overtime.”

Donraadt sent the ball into Maura Verleg, who set up van Rootselaar for another penalty corner. Van Rootselaar took a few steps towards the goal and fired a shot that deflected off McGuire into the goal, giving the Terps the 2-1 win.

“The more you play in overtime, the more experience you get [and] the better you get,” van Rootselaar said.

Maryland’s offense has been the strong suit of the squad, averaging a tick under four goals a game (3.909), highest in the Big Ten. 

Forward Hope Rose leads the team in goals with 10, the third most in the conference. Rose also leads the team in assists with seven. Rose missed Friday’s game against Iowa and was seen with a boot over her left foot on the sideline. Rose’s status for the game against Northwestern is unknown.

If Rose is unable to suit up, expect Leah Crouse to play an expanded role. The Duke transfer has recorded seven goals for the Terps, the second most on the team, and has notched three assists. 

Maryland’s average win margin of 2.55 goals per game is the best in the Big Ten.

Northwestern enters following an overtime thriller against No. 6 Penn State.

The Wildcats entered the second quarter down 1-0 but tied the game minutes into the quarter off a goal by forward Bente Baekers. Baekers leads the Big Ten in goals with 17, and her six assists ranks second on the team.

Northwestern entered halftime down 2-1 and its deficit increased to two goals in the third quarter after a Nittany Lions penalty stroke goal. 

Baekers cut the Penn State lead back down to one with her second goal of the game before the Nittany Lions quickly responded to go up 4-2.

“[Bente] picks up crap and makes a lot out of it,” Missy Meharg said. “She’s gonna get a simple shot, and she’s gonna finish so you really have to box her out from getting rebounds. You need to drop step and make sure you’re taking care of the second passes away.”

Midfielder Peyton Halsey scored two goals in the final 11 minutes of regulation to tie the game and bring it to overtime.

Halsey ranks second on Northwestern with seven goals.

With seven seconds remaining in the first overtime period, the Wildcats received a penalty stroke. Halsey took the stroke and scored the game winning goal.

Northwestern’s 3.545 goals per game is the second most in the Big Ten. The Wildcats’ average win margin of 2.28 goals ranks third in the conference.

The Wildcats have allowed only 1.27 goals per game, third-best in the Big Ten. Goalkeeper Annabel Skubisz has recorded 30 saves on the season.

All-time, the Terps are 12-6 against Northwestern. Their last game resulted in a 3-1 Northwestern victory last season.

The game on Sunday will start at 1 p.m. and will take place at Lakeside Field in Evanston.