The Terps (2-1, B1G) overcame the Buckeyes (0-2, B1G) 10 penalty corners to secure a 2-0 shutout for their second victory and shutout of the season.
With the victory, Maryland has now won 16 straight games against Ohio State.
Although the Buckeyes outshot and took more penalty corners than the Terps, midfielder Brooke DeBerdine quick pressure on the top of the circle made it easier for the rest of the defense to defend against penalty corners.
“They don’t have a lot of time [Brooke DeBerdine] is so quick and she’s so tenacious,” head coach Missy Meharg said. “That puts the goalkeeping and then the defenders behind in position to step up and take care of their pockets.”
Goalie Noelle Frost collected six saves and made some difficult stops.
“I felt very calm for the entire game, and then making sure that the most important thing was keeping everyone on the same page,” Frost said.
Midfielder Kyler Greenwalt and defender Riley Donnelly both scored their second goals of the season. Greenwalt scored early in the first quarter off a feed from Brooke DeBerdine. That goal came after three straight penalty corners by the Buckeyes.
The score remained 1-0 for most of the game until Donnelly iced the game on a penalty stroke with a minute remaining giving the Terps a 2-0 lead.
Despite not scoring, the Buckeyes applied lots of pressure offensively. They also played strong defense for much of the contest as Maryland amounted just two penalty corners including none in the second half.
Ultimately, Ohio State outshot Maryland 10 to six, but the Terps were able to capitalize on their limited opportunities.
“I have to be honest with you, we were opportunists today and we took advantage of our opportunities and got the results we needed,” Meharg said. “But we are a work in progress when it comes to some sustained attack pressure and we’ll keep working on that,” Meharg said.
The Terps will be focused on improving their midfield counter defense before their highly anticipated rematch against Northwestern on Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
