Field hockey closes out 6-3 win vs. Virginia in style

Clinging to a two-goal lead with just more than a minute left in regulation Friday, the Terrapins field hockey team could only watch as Virginia set up its offense for a crucial penalty-corner opportunity.

A Cavaliers goal would have offered a bit of hope for their chances in the game. What happened in a span of 10 seconds soon after, however, all but ended it.

With 58 seconds on the clock, Virginia midfielder Elly Buckley rifled a shot at the Terps' goal. But goalie Melissa Vassalotti made the save, giving midfielder Jemma Buckley a chance to clear the ball out of the circle. Two passes later, the ball was at forward Jill Witmer's stick.

Witmer handled the pass and, in a flash, sprinted past her defender toward the top of the shooting circle and ripped a shot toward the net. Virginia goalie Adrienne Ostroff couldn't get in front of it in time, and Witmer's goal with 48 seconds remaining proved to be the clincher in a 6-3 Terps victory.

"If you put a game within two, it's a game. You can score two goals in a minute, no problem," coach Missy Meharg said. "I'm glad we were able to make a brilliant counterattack past two lanes for a goal. And once you're back up to three goals, you're in a different position."

It was the No. 3 Terps' (10-1, 3-0 ACC) 15th consecutive win in the series with the Cavaliers (5-7, 0-2) and their eighth straight this season. The team's six goals matched the Terps' season high for a single game this season — a feat they have accomplished four times now — and marked the most goals Virginia has given up this year.

"We're dangerous because we've got such a variety of players and type of shots that are being taken," Meharg said. "I'm not sure we really got into the type of flow we'd like to get into to build, but when you score six goals on a great team, we're pretty happy."

Keying the Terps' offensive output was the play of their two co-captains, Megan Frazer and Buckley. The two midfielders combined to score the team's first four goals, including the eventual game winner. Forwards Shelby Sydnor and Witmer added the final two goals for the Terps in the game's waning minutes.

"What Megan and I try to do out on the field is just lead by example out on the field," Buckley said. "Even if it's just putting the goals in the net or just inspiring or encouraging other girls to play the best they can. But by us finishing, I guess it just sets a tone for the team to just step it up."

The Terps' late score didn't necessarily decide the outcome of the game, but it did provide an important insurance goal for the Terps. Three of the past four matchups in the series between the two programs had gone into overtime, and Witmer's efforts in the game's final minute made sure they wouldn't head there again.

"It just shut them down," Witmer said. "It's really important. [Virginia] is a good team, so it was just another day we had to come out and beat them."

vitale@umdbk.com