No. 10 Maryland field hockey put on a dominating performance from start to finish against No. 16 Penn State on Friday in a 3-1 win.
The Terps showcased why they were given such high expectations at the start of the season.
Maryland pounced on the Nittany Lions right out of the gate and never looked back.
Led by a dominating offensive performance in the first half, the Terps were able to establish control on offense, leading to a 10-1 shot advantage midway through the game.
“We were really good in the first half,” Jordyn Holloman said. “I feel like it was a great Big Ten opener.”
In the second half, the offense was even better. The Terps scored twice and extended their shot total to 20. Maryland again controlled the ball for almost the entire half and unlike some games this season, was able to put it all together.
“This is a really dominant performance,” head coach Missy Meharg said. “Taking 20 shots.”
The Terps’ defense was just as good, denying Penn State from getting any good chances until late in the fourth quarter. The Nittany Lions had just three shots and two shots on goal.
Penn State’s offense struggled to find any rhythm with the ball. Penn State, which had generated 70 shots and 41 shots on goal in just five games, got shut down for the entire first 58 minutes. The Nittany Lions finally found the back of the net in the closing moments of the game.
Maryland opened the game strong, taking quick control of the ball and establishing its offense early.
Maci Bradford was able to flick a shot over the defense towards the goal, but she was unable to get it on target. The quick start was a welcome change for the Terps, who have struggled to get their offense going early in games.
Penn State was able to get its first chance late in the first quarter, with the game’s first corner. But the Nittany Lions were unable to convert and it resulted in a Maryland counter-attack as Maci Bradford’s second shot of the game went wide of the net.
With 13 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Maryland was awarded its own penalty corner after a video review. The Terps took full advantage, with Josie Holloman getting the pass from Fleur Knopert and firing it past Penn State goalkeeper Aby Deverka, giving Maryland the lead.
Penn State’s offense took control after Maia Adamson was given a green card, but Maryland’s defense held strong, not allowing the Nittany Lions to get any shots towards Alyssa Klebasko.
The Terps had a great chance with under four minutes remaining in the half, a shot by Maddie Visilios was turned away with the ball on the goal line. The ball beat Deverka, butcher was able to get just enough of it to allow her defense to clear it away.
Maryland started the second half off strong. The Terps quickly took control after Ella Jennes was given a green card for Penn State.
Maryland was able to apply continuous offensive pressure. Even after Jennes came back in, the Terps were able to take advantage, getting a penalty corner.
Maci Bradford delivered the ball to Annemijn Klijnhout, who found Jordyn Holloman in open space. Holloman took the shot and beat Deverka to extend Maryland’s lead in the third quarter.
The Penn State offense tried to get some offense going, but the Maryland defense prevented any chances.
“Defense has been really good for us this season,” Josie Holloman said, “This was just a good game for us to get started in Big Ten play.”
Maryland struck again midway through the fourth quarter. Feliz Kuhne took the pass from Klijnhout and found the net for the first time in her college career, giving the Terps a three-goal lead.
Penn State was able to break the shutout with a little over two minutes remaining in the game. Sophia Mannino got the ball past Klebasko, who hadn’t been required to do much for the Terps.
Maryland will look to keep momentum from its dominating performance going, as the Terps face off against No. 8 Michigan in another ranked Big Ten matchup.
