No. 2 Maryland field hockey entered Friday’s game against No. 19 Michigan, searching for its 12th straight win to start the season.

After a quiet first half, the Terps entered the second half deadlocked at zero.

Then the Terps offense exploded with four goals in just over five minutes to end the third quarter en route to a 5-2 win at Phyllis Ocker Field.

“I’m really, really just so pleased for the players,” head coach Missy Meharg said. “They are year round hockey players and students and I think that’s probably a big reason why this whole group is doing what they’re doing.”

Just over ten minutes into the third quarter,  Francisca Eschoyez found sophomore Maia Adamson in the middle of the circle. She then put it in the back of the net for her first goal of the season.

That started the Terps’ surge of goals.

The offensive pressure from Maryland didn’t stop there. Maci Bradford scored just 44 seconds later on a quick zone entry into the circle.

It was a barrage.

Nothing kept Maci Bradford off the scoresheet, recording an assist on both goals from Jordan Holloman and Maddie Vasilios. That gave the Terps a 4-0 lead going into the fourth quarter.

The Wolverines had their backs against the wall to start the fourth quarter, scoring their first of the game on Maryland’s backup goaltender, Ryleigh Osborne, just over a minute in.

Despite Michigan’s early fourth-quarter goal,  the Terps held strong defensively. Maryland won the majority of the midfield battles to keep the Wolverines out of the zone, allowing only one more goal late in the fourth.

The explosive second half has been a common story for Maryland as of late, with 21-of-38 total goals scored coming in the last half of games before Friday’s win over Michigan.

Meharg mentioned the slower start to Friday’s match after the game.

“We’re a team that thrives on good hockey, and for whatever reason it took us a while to get into that style,” said Coach Meharg.

Meharg’s team found its footing later in the game again to pick up the win – the third ranked victory in the streak.

It is the first time since the 2018 season that the Terps have started 12-0. 

With only five games left in the regular season and two of them coming against ranked opponents, the Terps look to continue their explosive second halves against Michigan State next Friday afternoon.