The Terps’s four-game winning streak came to an end Sunday.
After an unsuccessful penalty corner, No, 10 Maryland field hockey forward Maci Bradford regained possession of the ball with nine minutes left in the game.
The forward urgently swung toward a small but clear opening on goal. The ball missed No. 8 Princeton’s goalkeeper Olivia Capoiniti’s foot, sliding into the back of the net and cutting Maryland’s deficit to just one goal.
But the Terps were not able to replicate that action. They couldn’t formulate an answer to Princeton’s second goal, costing them their first loss at home, 2-1, Sunday at The Plex.
Ella Gaitan recorded the Terps’ first shot attempt just 16 seconds into Sunday’s game. With a cloudy look toward the goal, Gaitan’s attempt was blocked by Princeton goalkeeper Saylor Milone.
The first quarter was chock-full of turnovers. Though the Terps’ offense pushed most gameplay to the Tigers’ half of the field, they couldn’t get all the way to the cage.
Princeton pressed towards goalkeeper Alyssa Klebasko in the cage with less than four minutes left in the quarter. Defender Erika Morris-Adams aided Klebasko to ease the congestion in front of the goal, deflecting Princeton’s only attempt to score in the first quarter. The junior goalkeeper logged five saves Sunday.
After an aerial ball from Josie Hollamon three minutes later, freshman midfielder Annemijn Klijnhout had a slight breakaway towards Princeton’s attack zone. She slid the ball across to Feliz Kuhne, whose shot was quickly blocked by the Tigers’ defense to end the first quarter.
Maryland opened the second frame in tight formation around the goal. Bradford stole the ball away from Princeton’s offense, but couldn’t penetrate the shooting circle.
Maddie Vasilios broke through with 11:30 left in the second quarter, hoping to earn her second goal of the season. She gained a clear look and swung, but was not able to complete the sequence.
With less than seven minutes left until halftime, Yeager intercepted a deflection from Klebasko before sliding the ball right by her. The ball rolled to the inside wall of the cage, earning the first points of Sunday’s matchup.
Maryland failed to coordinate a thorough attack in response, closing the first half without a goal.
Princeton attempted another penalty corner just 46 seconds into the second half. Yeager fielded an insert to the top right of the circle, but her shot was blocked by Klebasko’s shin pad.
Through the first half of the third quarter, Princeton pressed its way down to Maryland’s attack zone, gaining several congested looks towards the cage. However, Maryland’s defense remained sturdy while Klebasko defended the goal with every part of her body.
Princeton earned two penalty corners in just three minutes. Maryland’s defense deflected its shot on the first attempt, sending the ball out of bounds. On the second chance, Klebasko dove for the ball, knocking it out of the circle altogether.
With thirty seconds left until the fourth quarter, Klebasko faced another shot. Though she deflected Anna Faulstich’s attempt, the goalkeeper didn’t react soon enough to Ella Hampton’s rebound. The ball cleared Klebasko to the back of the cage, doubling the Tigers’ lead to 2-0.
The fourth quarter opened with dominant possession by Princeton. Vasilios got sent to the sideline for a green card penalty, leaving the Terps short a woman with nine minutes left.
Seconds later, Maryland earned its first shot on goal since Gaitan’s attempt in the first quarter. Bradford inserted, knocking the ball over to Josie Hollamon for a stick stop. Josie Hollamon passed to Feliz Kunhe, but her shot was kicked away by Princeton goalkeeper Olivia Caponiti.
Princeton gained its fourth penalty corner of the game after Maia Adamson nudged Yeager with her right shoulder. Klebasko kicked the ball clear to save the shot, but was pulled from the goal in exchange for more cleats on the turf just under a minute later.
With less than 90 seconds to go, head coach Missy Meharg pumped her fist in celebration of another pair of penalty corner opportunities after a video review. Both shots were deflected, but the second deflection earned yet another review. Still, the Terps weren’t able to earn a third shot at the goal.
Princeton regained possession with just 26 seconds left in the game. Even as the Terps pressed the Tigers’ defense, they weren’t able to regain control, costing them their first game in College Park.
Three things to know
1.History of close affairs continues. In every contest since 2016, the matchup between Maryland and Princeton has been decided by one goal. Their last game ended in the same score; 1-2 with the Tigers on top.
2. Klebasko stood strong. Klebasko recorded her second highest number of saves in a game on Sunday. The junior’s best game was against Penn on Sept. 12, where she logged six.
3. All-around extraordinaire. With her goal today, Maci Braford tied with Jordyn Hollamon and Ella Gaitan for most goals on the team so far. She still maintains the most assists.
Category: General Sports
