Prior to the match, Maryland honored eight veteran players as part of Senior Day – one being Margot Lawn.
Lawn’s either scored or assisted on goals in eight straight games, and the fifth-year senior extended that streak once more today.
Just eight minutes into the match, Lawn collected the ball in a wild scramble. Then, in one swift motion, the Maryland native weaved through the defense to the right of the shooting circle before sneaking a ground shot past two stunned defenders that whizzed into the back of the net.
“Margot is outstanding, she’s so serious about the game,” said head coach Missy Meharg. “Her [growth in] maturity and understanding have been amazing.”
Lawn’s seventh goal of the season gave the Terps an early lead that proved crucial, as No. 9 Maryland held strong to deliver a 2-1 victory over unranked Indiana.
Though just a freshman, keeper Alyssa Klebasko marks the surprise of the season for the Terps, as she leads the country in save percentage (.889) and goalie win-loss percentage (1.000). Coming off a four save outing in a huge win over No. 5 Iowa, Klebasko didn’t miss a beat again today.
The freshman collected her second save of the day to begin the second quarter, diving to block a shot from Hoosiers’ senior Jemima Cookson. Then, just a minute later, Klebasko struck again – extending a leg out to deflect a penalty corner shot by Indiana junior Sofia Arrebola Garcia.
In the final minutes before halftime, Klebasko tied her total number of saves from the entirety of last game, as the keeper made yet another block off of a Hoosiers’ penalty corner shot.
Another shot by Lawn – this time blocked by Indiana keeper Arabella Loveridge – as the second quarter buzzer sounded, and the Terps entered the half with a narrow one-score lead.
Then, to open the third quarter, Indiana proceeded to shoot four straight shots off four penalty corner opportunities
In a wild sequence, Klebasko made back-to-back diving blocks to save the first two shots, while junior Hope Rose intercepted the ball to stop the third corner opportunity.
But on the fourth and final chance, Garcia received the ball at the top of the circle before powering a rocket shot past the fingertips of Klebasko and into the goal, providing Indiana with the equalizer to even it up at one apiece.
Maryland answered right back six minutes later, courtesy of Maci Bradford. After a blocked penalty corner shot by graduate student Sammy Popper, the ball deflected off the leg of Loveridge and right to the stick of Bradford. Then, in a blink of an eye, the freshman steadied the ball before knocking in a second-chance shot – her eighth goal of the season – to put the home team back up one.
“It’s a complete luxury,” Meharg stressed on the Terps’ numerous offensive weapons. “You look at our stat sheet and start to scout Maryland…you’re not going to be able to spot people here and there because others can pick up for each other.”
Indiana entered the fourth quarter with a 11-7 total shots advantage over Maryland; however, it took the Hoosiers 11 minutes into the final period to get a single shot off.
That shot came in the 55th minute, courtesy of Indiana’s Yup van Wonderen. The junior powered a penalty corner shot towards the net, but per usual, Klebasko stopped it – recording her seventh save of the day to ice the game.
Maryland’s seventh consecutive win moves them to 14-3 on the season and a perfect 12-0 all-time series record over Indiana.
“It’s awesome to play for such a great school, and the legacy of Maryland is so important to me,” senior captain Rayne Wright emphasized. “We have so many [players] who are focused and strong…we’re able to grow every day, which is the most you can do.”
The Terps’ final test comes this Thursday at 4:00 p.m., as they travel to Evanston, Illinois to take on their toughest opponent yet – No. 1 Northwestern (15-1).
