By Katie Christ

The No. 2 Maryland Terrapins field hockey team extended their win streak to six games with a runaway 9-0 shutout against the University of Pennsylvania Quakers Sunday afternoon at the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex in College Park, Md.

The Terps got off to a fast start, scoring two goals in the first six minutes of the game.

Senior Maxine Fluharty put the Terps up 1-0 less than three minutes into the game. Fellow senior captain Sarah Sprink followed with the first of her two on the day less than four minutes later.

A total of eight different players scored. Three goals came from players off the bench, and two were from freshmen players.

Junior Anna Dessoye played a strong role in the victory. She scored one goal in the second half off of a penalty stroke and had four assists. Her execution of the penalty corners led to five of the nine goals scored by the Terrapins.

Head coach Missy Meharg took note of the success the team had with the penalty corners.

“Our execution has just been very good,” Meharg said.

Sprink was pleased with the team’s ability to have both starters and substitutes involved in the game’s success.

“It makes me proud because I think it’s not only about the people who start, everybody’s important and everybody has a role,” Sprink said.

Junior Shari Jones, redshirt sophomore Emma Rissinger, and junior Alyssa Parker all scored after coming off the bench.

“It’s really cool that when we’re coming into the circle really anybody can be a threat,” said Parker. “We don’t rely on one person.”

The defense also rotated many players through the on-field lineup.

Junior goalkeeper Jill Genovese took over in the second half for starting goalkeeper Brooke Cabrera. Genovese continued Cabrera’s effort and preserved the shutout.

“It’s nice to see Jill Genovese play a half and she had to make a few plays on the ball and big ones,” Meharg said. “That alone gives everyone the confidence boost, they’re ready should they be called upon.”

Coach Meharg took note of the support the girls on the team show each other and the team chemistry that is rounding into form.

“One thing about the women on this team is that they really serve each other and they are happy for each other,” Meharg said.

The Terrapins will to extend their win streak to 7 games on Wednesday when they travel to Princeton, N.J. to take on Princeton, the 2012 NCAA National field hockey champions.

“[Today’s game] gives us a good push for Princeton,” Sprink said. “We all know that anybody who comes on the field can definitely score and we can get on the board.”