No. 8 Maryland field hockey falls to No. 3 Rutgers, 1-0

With 12 and a half minutes remaining in the third quarter, No. 8 Maryland field hockey and No. 3 Rutgers were tied at zero. The Scarlet Knights broke out in transition and pressured the Terps cage. Rutgers earned a penalty stroke that was upheld after further review.

Rutgers midfielder Milena Redlingshoefer cashed in a goal that beautifully entered the right side of the cage, as Maryland goalie Noelle Frost dove to the right.

Rutgers would take the 1-0 lead early in the period and Maryland could not find the equalizer as it fell to the Scarlet Knights.

The pace was intense and electric from the onset, as each offense used ball movement to get the defense out of position to exploit holes in their stingy defense.

Defense has been Maryland’s calling card the past few games led by their defensive mainstay in goalie Noelle Frost.

Frost made a beautiful play in the first quarter to establish a strong defensive energy.

Rutgers had the Terps outnumbered in transition, sprinting towards Maryland’s cage.

Frost stepped completely out of her cage to extend her body to deliver a quality save for Maryland and negate Rutgers’ scoring opportunity.

In the second quarter, Maryland forward Hope Rose attempted to score the first goal of the game, as she sprinted in transition and stopped on a dime, to shoot her signature shot at the cage, but was blocked by Rutgers goalie Gianna Glatz.

It was a defensive battle for the first 15 minutes of the contest, as each team extended their defenses to force turnovers to get the ball to their offenses to generate the first goal of the game.

In the first half, Maryland earned three penalty corners, while Rutgers was unable to force a corner of its own. The Terps delivered a stellar defensive half against one of the most talented teams in the entire nation.

The game was scoreless heading into the second half and both team’s defenses simply wouldn’t give over the opening 30 minutes. It was another tight defensive match for this Maryland team, and a 0-0 first half brought a close battle on the road the rest of the way.

In the third quarter, Rutgers broke the tie.

With 12 minutes and a half minutes remaining in the third quarter, The Scarlet Knights took the 1-0 lead early in the period and put Maryland in a tough position as it was unable to bounce back.

The Scarlet Knights defense was outstanding and they generated saves and limited the electricity the Terps’ offense usually brings.

Rutgers goalie Gianna Glatz played an outstanding game, registering 12 saves in the contest. Glatz consistently rejected shots from Rose, Tornetta, and the crew to hold the Terps scoreless in the contest.

Maryland outshot Rutgers in shots in the game with a 15-6 advantage, but were unsuccessful in capitalizing on their opportunities.

Maryland wasn’t able to record much on offense the rest of the way in the fourth quarter, and as a result, Rutgers was able to bleed the clock and hold on for the close 1-0 victory.

Three things to know

1. Maryland was in another tight defensive battle. Maryland held Rutgers to a mere six shots in the contest, well below their 13.1 season average. Maryland’s defense extended its pressure with multiple traps and defenders in the passing lane to identify opportunities to turn the ball back over to their electric offense.

2. Noelle Frost was excellent for Maryland once again. The Terps’ goalie has been a wall for the program since the beginning of the season and this game was no different. Rutgers finished the contest with six shots, and Frost ended up making three saves when all was said and done. She’s been one of the most influential factors in Maryland’s success, and she’ll certainly be a key factor for the rest of the season. Frost registered only three saves in the game, but her communication and rotation kept Maryland in the game till the very end.

3. Maryland cannot afford to dwell on this game. The Terps will look to Sunday, as the No. 17 UConn Huskies make their way to College Park for yet another top-20 matchup. Missy Meharg’s club will face three top-20 opponents in their final four games, to prepare for the postseason. Maryland will look to build some momentum going down the home stretch of the season, before the Big Ten Tournament opens on Nov. 4.