No. 4 Maryland field hockey captures 3-2 shootout victory over No. 6 Virginia

No. 4 Maryland field hockey goalkeeper Noelle Frost was mobbed by all of her teammates after making the final save in a penalty shootout, securing a victory over No. 6 Virginia.

Cavalier midfielder Erin Shanahan went left and right in the shootout chance, but Frost was able to stick with the senior for the entire charge. The senior keeper poked the ball loose and was able to slap it out of bounds, giving the Terps a 3-2 win.

“I’m saving this ball. We’re not doing this again,” Frost said she thought in that moment. “It’s just mind over matter. I don’t care what’s happening, I’m saving this ball.”

It was fitting that the game came down to the defense, as Maryland struggled offensively throughout the game. The team had chances to score between its 25 shots and nine penalty corners, but it couldn't capitalize when it needed too to put the game away. That was the case, at least, until the shootout.

“I think Maryland to come back from behind twice, showed a tremendous amount of grit,” coach Missy Meharg said. “Their goalie was outstanding. We weren’t anticipating that level. I think we had 25 shots, so she really did a great job for them.”

Midfielder Madison Maguire, defender Riley Donnelly and forward Bibi Donraadt, who made the go-ahead shot, all came in clutch for the Terps in one-on-one scoring situations.

But through regulation and two overtime periods, that wasn’t the case.

In the second period of overtime, the only thing between junior midfielder Brook DeBerdine and the winning goal was Virginia keeper Lauren Hausheer. The Cavaliers goalie took out DeBerdine, who went down hard to the turf.

“Lauren’s a great goalie, I think I just knew that she comes out,” DeBerdine said. “I tried to pull right and go around her, and she kind of just came out... it was a good save, she had to do, what she had to do.”

The game was on the line and in the hands of captain Bodil Keus for a penalty stroke. But Hausheer dove to her left, blocking what would’ve been the winning goal.

Chances continued to come the Terps’ way through both periods of overtime, but none could make it through, making a shootout the game’s deciding factor. The shootout went six rounds, but ultimately, Maryland edged it out by a 5-4 margin.

“I have to say it’s one of the very best [games].” Coach Missy Meharg said of where this game ranks among her career. “To win in a shootout, like that, a sudden death shootout and it’s the University of Virginia.”

Three things to know

1. The Terps showed a lot of discipline. Maryland demonstrated that its defense can break down their opponents’ offensive opportunities, without committing any fouls. For most of the game, Maryland did a great job shutting down the attack, without allowing corners. Before this game, Maryland’s most allowed corners were four, but in this one, they conceded five corners.
2. Maryland squeaked by despite a ton of missed opportunities. Statistically, Maryland and Virginia had very similar opportunities. The Terps fired 25 shots, including 11 on goal, while Virginia only had 15 shots and nine on goal. However, the Cavaliers were able to capitalize on their chances, while the Terrapins could not. In addition to the shots, Maryland also had more corners with nine, while Virginia totaled five for the game.
3. It was a tale of two halves. After a scoreless first half, both teams ramped up the intensity and it resulted in more offensive chances. In the second half both teams combined for four goals, 18 shots and 8 corners, sending this one into extra time. Midfielders Kyler Greenwalt and Emma DeBerdine had the two goals for the Terps.

The scoring was halted in both periods of overtime, but nine conversions were made on 12 chances in the shootout.