By Gill Vesely

The Maryland Terrapins field hockey team earned a school-record fifth consecutive shutout victory Sunday with a 6-0 win over Towson.

The win came as a bit of a contrast to the Terps’ 1-0 victory over Big Ten opponent Indiana on Friday, but head coach Missy Meharg said that different opponents don’t necessarily mean a different approach for the Terps.

“We always have our game plan,” she said. “We know all the teams in the league and it will be exciting to get our plan together as we prepare for Iowa. We’ll get a game plan together that will suit us first.”

The game also marked Senior Day for the team’s eight seniors, and Meharg recognized the occasion by starting seven of those seniors, including Jill Genovese in goal.

Genovese did not see too much action, though, as the Terps absolutely dominated possession of the ball throughout the game, outshooting Towson 47-3. The Tigers’ first shot on goal did not come until under five minutes remained in the first half. Meanwhile, Maryland was distributing their offense to the tune of four first-half goals.

The first score came from Lein Holsboer, with an assist by Anna Dessoye. With the pass, Dessoye became just the sixth Maryland field hockey player ever to rack up 50 career assists.

Sarah Sprink found the back of the cage next, driving home a shot using Maryland’s signature penalty corner formula. Floor Paanakker joined in with her first goal of the season after receiving a pass from Dessoye at the top of the circle, spinning around, and firing a shot into the back of the cage. Before the half came to a close, Welma Luus also chipped in, scoring her 13th goal of the year with an assist by Carrie Hanks.

In the second half, Shari Jones led the way for the Terps as she scored two goals, her first two of the year. Like Meharg, she is looking forward to the Terps’ next opponent.

“We just need to keep in mind that we can do whatever we put our minds to,” Jones said after the game. “I think we can really bring it to Iowa.”

The Terps will face the Hawkeyes in Iowa City on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 1 p.m.