By: Andrew Diveley

In a nail-biting semifinal, No. 3 seed Michigan claimed victory over No. 2 seed Maryland, 4-3, at the Big Ten Tournament in College Park on Friday. The game ended in a shootout — Maryland’s second in as many days.

The Terps struck early with Maci Bradford scoring her fourth goal of the season in the first quarter off a rebound from Kylee Niswonger, starting the game off quickly following a scoreless regulation against Iowa in the quarterfinals. 

Michigan had no shots, saves, or penalty corners in a highly defensive opening quarter.

In the second quarter, Michigan gained offensive momentum with two consecutive penalty corners. Maryland’s goalkeeper, Alyssa Klebasko, blocked an initial shot from Erin Reilly, diving low for a save. 

“I mean, she’s outstanding,” said Maryland head coach Missy Meharg when talking about Klebasko. “She’s going to make big plays. She’s going to make routine plays.”

Michigan soon found the equalizer when Pilar Oliveros scored her sixth goal of the season on a shot that blazed through Josie Hollamon and Klebasko. 

Maryland answered quickly on a penalty corner conversion by Ella Gaitan as she lifted the ball past Michigan goalkeeper Hala Silverstein to make it 2-1. 

Hope Rose extended Maryland’s lead in the third quarter with her 12th goal of the season, capitalizing on a series of sharp passes from Annemijn Klijnhout and Leah Horwitz.

Michigan stormed back with persistent penalty corners and after Klebasko blocked two attempts, Lora Clarke netted a rebound cutting Maryland’s lead to one.

Michigan trailed late into the fourth quarter forcing the Wolverines to pull their goalkeeper in favor of another attacker. The move paid off with what looked like a Wolverine goal, but was overturned on review. 

With four seconds left on the clock, Juliette Manzur scored off a penalty corner to force overtime.

After two scoreless overtime periods — with Klebasko recording her season-high seventh save — Michigan clinched victory in the shootout with goals from Clarke and Kate McLaughlin. 

Maryland was unable to convert in the shootout ending the Big Ten Tournament a win away from the championship game. 

The Wolverines will face an undefeated No. 1 seed Northwestern in the Big Ten Championship on Sunday, while the Terps wait to know their postseason fate. 

“​​We’ll take these type of losses together,” said Meharg. “We’ll probably have training right up close to the Selection Show and celebrate a great team.”