By Andrew Diveley
IOWA CITY, IA –– Fueled by an offensive masterclass across the board, No. 5 Maryland field hockey cruised to a 5-0 road victory over No. 10 Iowa. Ella Gaitan led the Terps with two scores, while Maryland’s defense managed to shut down Iowa’s attack throughout, handing the Hawkeyes their fourth loss of the season.
Both teams entered Sunday’s match known for strong defensive play, but it was Maryland’s offense that broke through first – and never looked back.
With the win, the Terps improve to 7-3 overall and 3-1 in the Big Ten, while Iowa falls to 6-4 overall and 1-3 in conference play.
The first quarter saw both teams’ defenses on full display, with numerous turnovers and limited offensive opportunities. Maryland appeared to score in the eighth minute on a Fleur Knopert shot that found the back of the cage, but the goal was later waived off.
By the end of the first quarter, each team had recorded just one respective shot.
The Terps broke the silence in the 17th minute. After a series of penalty corners, Hope Rose aimed a power shot that was saved by Iowa goalkeeper Mia Magnotta. However, Gaitan was in perfect position – collecting a timely rebound and finding the net for a second-effort goal, giving the road team an early one-score lead.
Maryland continued to pressure Iowa’s defense, earning four penalty corners in quick succession. But Magnotta and the Hawkeyes held firm, keeping the deficit at one heading into the half.
The Terps’ offense came alive in the third quarter. In the 35th minute, Annemijn Klijnhout doubled Maryland’s lead, scoring off a well-executed set.
Then, just five minutes later, Gaitan struck again, firing a top-left shot into the cage off a penalty corner to increase the Terps’ lead to three. The goal served as Gaitan’s second score of the game and her first time finding the back of the net since early September.
The Hawkeyes, who had recorded shutouts in all six of their wins this season, struggled to break through the Terps’ defensive wall late.
Maryland continued to dominate in the fourth quarter. In the 55th minute, Maci Bradford slotted in a low shot to the bottom left corner – after a timely cross from Kylee Niswonger – to put the Terps ahead, 4-0.
Three minutes later, Rose led a brilliant fast break from midfield. The senior sprinted into the shooting circle before sending a hard shot through Magnotta’s legs for Maryland’s fifth and final goal.
With the win, Maryland extends its Big Ten dominance and will look to carry the momentum into next Friday, when they travel to East Lansing to take on Michigan State.
