No. 4 Maryland field hockey bounces back with 5-0 win over Towson

No. 4 Maryland field hockey wasted no time in setting the tone early against Towson.

In the first minute of the game, junior defender Hannah Bond pounced on a loose ball off a shot rebound in the circle. She quickly was slapped the ball past the keeper and into the cage to spark Maryland’s early offense.

The Terps (4-1) continued the hot start, scoring a total of three goals in the first six minutes of the game en route to a 5-0 victory over the Tigers.

Maryland had command of the game on both sides of the field for the entire 60 minutes. The Terps kept the Tigers from attempting a single shot, out shooting them 27 to zero.

In the first quarter alone, the Terps totaled eight corners, converting on the first two, as well as firing off 13 shots — six of which were on goal. The two other goals in the first came from sophomore transfer Linda Cobano and senior midfielder Madison Maguire.

Despite it’s fast start, Maryland wouldn’t score again until the fourth quarter. The Terps shot eight shots in the second and third quarters, getting seven corner chances in that span, but strong play in goal from Towson freshman Tess Okkerse, kept them out of the scoring column.

The defense stepped up big on the other end though, never allowing the Tigers to get anything going. Goalie Noelle Frost didn’t face a single shot.

Things picked up offensively for the Terps in the fourth quarter with a greater sense of urgency to seal the game.

Freshman midfielder Emma DeBerdine added her second goal of the season, extending the Terps lead to 4-0 before Maryland matched its season-high for goals late in the game off of a penalty corner.

Senior transfer Jen Bleakney passed it in to junior defender Bodil Keus, who passed it right back to her fellow captain. Bleakney was able to get it right past the keeper, who was expecting the shot to come from the top of the key, giving Maryland a 5-0 lead.

Three things to know

1. Maryland absolutely dominated. On both ends of the field, the Terps showed why they’re the much better team. The team totaled five goals and kept pouring on the shots with 27 on the day, including 12 on goal. On defense, Maryland was able to put a stop to any sort of Towson offensive attack, not allowing a single shot.

With a 5-0 blowout, coach Missy Meharg was able to get her team plenty of experience, playing 21 different players. Meharg even pulled Frost from goal to give the Terps an extra attacker in the final minutes of the last quarter.

2. The Terps drew a lot of chances. Maryland was awarded 20 penalty corners — the most its had all season — in this one. But the Terps only turned two of the chances into goals, despite showing plenty of different setups with varied in-bounders and shooters.

3. Towson limited the damage. Even though the Terps were able to attempt a multitude of shots and penalty corners, the Tigers were able to keep it to just five goals. Freshman Tess Okkerse was solid in goal for Towson, saving five shots on the 12 shots on goal. The Tigers defense also recorded two saves.