By: Alex Rychwalski
The No. 9 Maryland Terrapins field hockey team crushed the Bucknell Bison 4-1 for its fourth consecutive win. It was a close game until a second half barrage by the Terps, which pushed them to 5-2 on the season.
After struggling to capitalize on their opportunities early, the Terps finally broke through on their fifth penalty corner of the half with a goal by freshman midfielder Kyler Greenwalt. Greenwalt was able to punch it in after the Bison were unable to clear the ball after a save. The goal gave the Terps a 1-0 advantage.
Greenwalt, a former Maryland ball girl, was a highly recruited player who, despite taking 15 shots coming into the game, had been unable to score a goal.
“After I did that insert I just got to post right away because I just wanted to be in position, and be ready for the ball,” Greenwalt said. “Once it hit her stick I was like, ‘I’m gonna be on this, I’m not gonna let my team down, I’m going to try to score this.”
Going into halftime the Terps outshot the Bison 20-0, but only had a single goal to show for it. Despite the lack of goals, Maryland coach Missy Meharg was pleased with the half.
“We came out today to dominate play in the first half, and I think we did that,” Meharg said. “The shots were there, the shot selections were more of an issue. The players met at halftime together. They took it upon themselves and I think that they found a way to get that done.”
The Terps began the second half in the worst way possible. A breakdown defensively by the Terps gave Bucknell a breakaway, and it scored on a rebound after a save by Maryland goalie Sarah Holliday. The goal came on the Bison’s first shot of the game, and it tied the game at one early in the second half.
The Terps responded to the adversity in a big way. Almost immediately after conceding the tying goal, Kyler Greenwalt scored her second goal of the game after putting it in off a rebound to give the Terps a 2-1 lead.
Maryland scored again seven minutes into the half when Lein Holsboer scored on an assist by Carrie Hanks, her fourth goal of the season.
Almost immediately after her first goal, Lein Holsboer flicked a shot up and over the goalie into the top right corner for her second goal of the game to give the Terps a 4-1 advantage.
Holsboer credited the outburst to the halftime talk, and their efforts to improve their chemistry in practices and games.
“We really had a good talk in the locker room, we discussed it all together,” Holsboer said. “Our big theme for the last couple weeks has been connections, so that’s what we’ve been working on.” Holsboer has been able to score four goals in the past two games.
Maryland outshot Bucknell 35-6 during the game and despite the score being close for much of the game, it never really felt like the Bison had enough talent to challenge the Terps.
The win improves the Terps record to 5-2 on the year, and drops the Bison to 3-6. The Terrapins next take the field in a home meeting with the No. 15 Princeton Tigers on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
