Field hockey drops first game of season

For the Terrapins field hockey team, a potential weakness became a harsh reality this weekend.

Last season, the Terps had the benefit of running their offense through attacker Katie O'Donnell, one of the game's brightest stars. But without her presence on the field in 2011, the team has had to learn how to make plays without the help of an assured playmaker.

The problem was most evident against No. 12 Old Dominion on the road Friday night and No. 9 Michigan in their home opener on Sunday, as the No. 1 Terps struggled to score throughout the weekend.

Against the Monarchs (4-0) on Friday, the Terps (3-1) lost their first game since Princeton defeated them last season, falling to Old Dominion, 4-0, to end their 17-game winning streak. It was the first time the Terps had been held scoreless in a game since Nov. 11, 2007.

Things improved against the Wolverines (2-2) on Sunday, as the Terps held off a late Michigan flurry to capture their ninth consecutive home opener victory, 2-1.

But offensive issues remained for the Terps. They crossed the 25-yard line 24 times in the first half but were able to launch only five shots on goal, something coach Missy Meharg said must improve going forward.

"The productivity and intensity as you entered the funnest part of the field was nil," Meharg said. "That was our commitment. We had five shots at the half and ended up with 15. We doubled our first half, they did as we asked and they really knew what they were doing."

"Nothing was really clicking at first," said attacker Jill Witmer, who scored one of the Terps' two goals this weekend. "Eventually our three forwards just connected with our passes, we got some corners and we were able to finish them."

Much of the struggles on the attack stem from the team still trying to get on the same page offensively, Meharg said. The Terps rotated 16 players onto the field during the game against Michigan, and it will take time for the players to find the right chemistry on the field.

"They're just starting to get used to each other," Meharg said. "We have a lot of people rotating into those front three and even the inner spots. … It's just going to take some time to get those combinations down."

The Terps return to action this weekend when they host the Terrapin Invitational, where they will face Northwestern and Villanova. And if their previous two games are any indication, the Terps' run at a second consecutive national title will hinge on their ability to strengthen their offensive attack.

"Coming off a really tough battle Friday night, it exposed a potential weakness in our shell," Meharg said. "I'm so proud of the way this new team came out and made a commitment to their standard, their style and protecting this house the way they did."

vitale@umdbk.com