No. 2 Maryland field hockey dominates for 6-0 victory over Indiana

With No. 2 Maryland field hockey up by two in the second quarter, freshman midfielder Nathalie Fiechter corralled the pass at the top of the circle off the corner and passed it inside right in front of the goal where redshirt sophomore Mayv Clune was able to get a piece of it and deflect it into the goal.

On another corner chance in the third quarter, sophomore midfielder Linda Cobano sent a rocket into the bottom left corner of the cage to put the Terps up four scores.

Maryland used three penalty corner goals to coast to a 6-0 victory over Indiana Sunday — the team’s 10th consecutive win to remain undefeated in Big Ten play.

“We focused on keeping things simple,” Clune said. “Definitely focusing on the inserts being on point, the stick stoppers being in the positions that we needed to be and then the hitters hitting to those points... We just zoned in on everyone doing their job and when we’re able to do that, we’re obviously able to be successful.”

The Terps have been one of the nation’s best at drawing penalty corners, but hadn’t been able to turn any into scores since its 4-3 overtime win against then-No. 10 Princeton on Sept. 24. But coach Missy Meharg’s squad showed off a couple of different looks for its set pieces, and it paid off to break the cycle in a dominant performance.

“It hasn’t been in the back of my mind at all,” Meharg said about the lack of corner goals recently. “When you’re scoring counter attack field goal, it’s much more fun for the fans and for the players, so that’s all fine. I’m happy we scored on penalty corner[s] today.”

Maryland brought the pressure with 19 shots, including 17 on goal in this matchup against Indiana. On the other side of the field, the Hoosiers struggled to get clean looks on goal as they tallied just five shots on goal.

The Terps poured on shots early and often, converting on two first quarter goals for a quick lead. Cobano got things started for Maryland, firing in the top left corner off a feed from senior Jen Bleakney in the fifth minute of the game.

The Terps commanded the pitch against the Hoosiers, putting the pressure on Indiana all game long. Maryland was able to limit Indiana’s offense by keeping the ball on the Hoosiers’ half in an effort to tack on insurance goals.

“They make sure that they’re on point every single game, which is really what we need,” senior forward Lizzy Dessoye said about the defense. “What they’re doing is outstanding. They’re working hard, they’re making sure that they’re communicating to us because the forwards need to get back and help too. Just their communication and work ethic is really helping us win these games and have those shutouts.”

In the 38th minute, the Terps tacked on their fifth goal of the day off of another penalty corner. After the initial shot was saved by Hoosiers’ goalkeeper redshirt sophomore Shelby Querry, the ball popped up in front of Dessoye, who tapped it over the keeper into the net.

Maryland tacked on its final goal of the afternoon after Clune dribbled into the circle past a couple of defenders and swiped it past Querry, allowing the Terps to capture a commanding 6-0 victory for their third straight shutout.

“We’re gritty,” Meharg said. “When you’re gritty and you work really hard, you also earn a little bit of luck. I think some of the goal shot opportunities that didn’t go the opposition’s way has been super and I think Noelle’s [Frost] been solid.”

Three things to know

1. Maryland continues its dominance over Indiana. The Terps are now 7-0 all-time against the Hoosiers. Last season, Maryland traveled to Bloomington, Indiana, where it defeated the Hoosiers 4-0. Since joining the Big Ten in 2014, the Terps are now 6-0 against Indiana, outscoring the Hoosiers 26-4.
2. The Terps were able to rest their players. With a commanding lead, Meharg was able to freely rotate her players and spread around the playing time. The Terps used 12 different players off the bench, including substituting sophomore goalkeeper Skye Joegriner.
3. Indiana’s keeper limited some damage. Despite allowing six goals, the scoreboard doesn’t display the work done in cage. The Terps could have scored plenty of more goals if Querry wasn’t in goal. Querry faced 17 shots on goal and the redshirt sophomore made 10 saves including multiple diving blocks.