After a tied first half, No. 2 Maryland battled their way to a strong 4-1 win over Delaware, advancing their record to 11-0, the seventh Maryland team to do so.
It was senior day at the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex, where all five seniors were honored, and midfielder Rachael Whitehead started her first game of the season.
“They represent everything about the work and then the fitness level and the love of the game these five girls have displayed for four years,” said Coach Missy Meharg about her seniors.
About four minutes in, the Terps took on their first corner, but they struggled to get a shot off on time.
It continued to be a battle in the midfield until Jordyn Hollamon capitalized on the chaos of the offensive circle and nailed a reverse chip to the back of the net.
Just three minutes after, the Blue Hens scored on Maryland goalkeeper Alyssa Klebasko. That was Livia Van’t Hek’s fifth goal of the season and Avary Miller’s fourth assist.
The second quarter was much closer, with neither team pulling off too many shots.
Compared to their six in the first quarter, the Terps only had 2 shots in the second. Delaware stayed the same, with one shot per quarter.
Ella Fehr was given a green card early on, but the Blue Hens couldn’t capitalize despite the advantage.
With some more back and forth in the middle of the quarter, the Hollamon sisters really stepped up.
“Jordyn’s probably someone to say, you know, the player that’s grown the most in a year,” said Meharg.
Jordyn Hollamon led the team in shots, scoring the only goal of the half.
Josie Hollamon kept Delaware at bay, letting in only two shots all half.
Kendall Gilmore scored on a deflection from Jordyn Hollamon’s shot. After the goal, the Blue Hens picked it up a notch, but not enough that Maryland relinquished control of the game.
The Blue Hens started the fourth quarter quickly, catching a glimpse of the circle before Josie Hollamon stopped them in their tracks.
Feliz Kuhne, capitalizing on a Delaware error, stole the ball mid-pass and sent a cross-goal shot that was finished by Babs van Hest for her seventh goal of the season.
With a comfortable lead, all the Terps had to do was finish the game.
It was a heavily subbed game, as many players had the chance to try their luck on offense, join the stronghold on defense or add some great lanes throughout the midfield.
“We give them the best energy that we have, and I think if we all just really connect well on the field, we’re still keeping that up,” said Kendall Gilmore.
Even with a couple of missed opportunities, Maryland got their sixth and final goal of the game after Jordyn Hollamon scored on a deflected shot from Josie Hollamon.
That bumped their lead up, and even Ella Beach’s green card in the last few minutes couldn’t have bothered them.
This 4-1 win adds another to Maryland’s undefeated streak.
