A fitting finale for field hockey's Buckley, Vassalotti

In its opening game of the 2010 season, two seemingly insignificant events occurred for the Terrapins field hockey team: Midfielder Jemma Buckley scored an insurance goal in the game's final 30 seconds, and goalkeeper Melissa Vassalotti recorded four second-half saves to help secure a two-goal victory over Drexel.

At the time, these were much more than just early-season stats for the pair in what was the first of many games during the Terps' national-title season.

Buckley's goal came in her first-ever game for the Terps after spending the first two years of her college eligibility playing in her native Australia. The four saves for the then-redshirt junior Vassalotti came in her first career start after spending much of her first three seasons in College Park watching from the sidelines.

Nearly 14 months removed from that game, the two seniors' careers have come full circle. The No. 3 Terps again take on Drexel tonight in the team's senior night, and just as the last matchup with the Dragons marked the beginning, this game will mark an end of sorts. When Buckley and Vassalotti step onto the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex playing surface tonight, they will do so for the final time in their regular-season careers.

"It's really fitting," Vassalotti said. "I spent five years here, so I always looked forward to this day, but it always seemed so far away. I can't believe it's finally here."

Buckley's and Vassalotti's performances against Drexel (10-6) last season were just the start of what are now impressive Terps (13-3) careers. Even in their first year in feature roles for the team, both played integral parts in the Terps' 2010 ACC and national-championship runs.

Now in their senior seasons for the Terps, Buckley and Vassalotti are two of the team's clear leaders on the field. After an All-ACC selection in her first year in College Park, Buckley was named one of the Terps' co-captains in 2011. Through 16 games, she ranks second on the team with 14 goals on a team-high 77 shots.

"I recruited Jemma out of high school, so it took me some time to finally get here," said coach Missy Meharg, who will also honor senior student assistant coach Meghan Dean tonight. "She's a brilliant student, a great field hockey player and I'd love to have her for two more years."

Vassalotti's presence has been integral for the Terps in her senior year. Though she switched off games in goal with sophomore Natalie Hunter during the early part of the season, Vassalotti has been the Terps' anchor in the cage in recent weeks, starting each of the past six contests. So far this season, she has recorded 37 saves while averaging less than two goals against per game.

"Melissa is just a wonderful storybook," Meharg said. "There was the question would she be the one who would step forward and be the goalie, and I think she's done that and proved herself to be a championship-level goalie."

Tonight's game won't be the final one Buckley or Vassalotti plays in a Terps uniform, but the contest will likely be emotional nonetheless. Though both players maintained it was important to treat this game as they would any other, the night's festivities will certainly add a new storyline to a seemingly inconsequential matchup.

"It's bittersweet," Buckley said. "It's not my final game in college, but at the same time it certainly feels like it's coming to an end with the Terps. It's a sad time for me, but I'm looking forward to it. … We just have to go out there and put on a good show."

vitale@umdbk.com