It took two overtime periods for the Terps to defeat the Cardinals.
No. 4 Maryland field hockey’s 50th season got off to a dramatic start. Hope Rose fired in her first goal of the season off a shot from Annemijn Klijnhout to help Maryland beat No. 7 Louisville in double-overtime, 2-1.
Defense was the dominant force in this season opener, with both teams having to fight to make every possession matter.
“Victory goes to the most tenacious, and I think Maryland was the most tenacious today,” head coach Missy Meharg
The contest was slow and methodical for much of the first half as the two teams settled into a staring contest, with neither making positive moves toward the other’s net. Maryland retained more of the ball and had the lone chance in the first quarter, a late shot by junior Fleur Knopert.
Sustained pressure from Louisville on its first promising offensive endeavor saw goalkeeper Alyssa Klebasko finally forced into action nearly 24 minutes into the game. She kept Chloe Plumb at bay before the Terps conceded a penalty corner. Louisville, who out-gained its opponents in penalty corners 174-71 last year, made the most of its first of the new season.
A fierce drive across the goal saw Klebasko called into action again, this time against Mia Duchars. However, the rebound fell to an unmarked Chole Plumb, who hit the bottom-left corner for her first goal of the season. The score came off the third Louisville shot in 50 seconds — it had only one more the rest of the game.
The Cardinals’ lead didn’t last long, though, as the Terps won a penalty corner of their own. Rose sent out to Josie Hollamon, who was perched at the top of the penalty circle. Hollamon bobbled the reception before regaining control of the ball, cutting inside and firing in a low shot that looked as though it was deflected.
In the third quarter, the game resumed its tenuous position, with neither team gaining a clear upper hand. As time progressed, however, the Terps reasserted control of the game, which they took with them into the fourth quarter. Shots from Gaitan, Hollamon and Rose inspired a super second half from Cardinals goalkeeper Brandelynn Heinbaugh, who finished the game with 6 saves.
As the fourth quarter neared a close and the teams looked certain for overtime, it was Louisville who struck fear into the hearts of the packed College Park crowd. With just over a minute remaining in regulation, Louisville pressed high up the field, forcing an errant back pass that nearly sent a Cardinal through on goal. But as Klebasko prepared for the 1-on-1, the referee blew the play back. The ball had come off the attacker’s leg.
Entering the overtime period, Louisville began to play a more expansive game, troubling Maryland with a pair of crosses that flashed just out of the reach of Cardinal sticks.
With just over two and a half minutes remaining in overtime, Louisville looked certain to score. The Cardinals won three straight penalty corners, but all were blocked by Alina Gerke — a stellar individual effort to keep the Terps in the game.
Another shot from Knopert late in the first overtime period left Heinbaugh with little to worry about, and the teams took another break before running out onto the field for a sixth period.
Double overtime was a frenetic affair, with Louisville continuing to give Maryland’s back line fits. The two dominant defensive forces held strong before Klijnhout finally delivered the breakthrough with 1:20 left in double overtime.
She took a restart from the sideline, turned and drove into the Cardinal defense before taking a crack at Heinbaugh’s goal that was deflected in by Rose. Rose had a relatively quiet game Friday, but she delivered when the Terps needed her most to avoid a shootout and get the season started right.
Three things to know
1. Maya Everett’s impact. Although she did not get on the scoresheet, Everett, a midfielder, was a large factor in today’s win. Her efforts shuttling up and down Maryland’s right side and progressing the ball were crucial in helping to break down the concentrated Louisville block.
2. More powerhouse programs to come. Maryland opening their season with a win against a ranked opponent was necessary because it plays many more. Through the month of September, the Terps will play five opponents who began the season ranked in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association’s preseason top 20.
3. Comforts of the season opener. Maryland has now won 28-straight season opening games. Its last loss beginning a season was in 1996 against Virginia, in what was Meharg’s ninth season in charge.