Field hockey looking to restore order vs. Old Dominion

When the Terrapins field hockey team takes on Old Dominion tonight for the second time this season, it will be more than just another game for the Terps: it will be a chance to restore what they see is order to a storied rivalry.

The first time the two teams faced off this season on Sept. 2, the defending national champion Terps were ranked No. 1 in the nation and had won 12 straight in their twice-annual matchup against the then-No. 12 Lady Monarchs.

But a 4-0 Lady Monarchs win marked a small reversal of fortune for the two squads, vaulting the Lady Monarchs 10 spots in the national rankings while dropping the Terps back two spots. Entering tonight's matchup at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex, the Lady Monarchs are ranked No. 1 while the Terps are still No. 3. But a win for the Terps would restore the recent dominance over their longtime rival.

"There's a sense of revenge," coach Missy Meharg said. "We're not apt to want to get back at Old Dominion just because they beat us, we're apt to want to play the best team in the nation and do it well."

Retribution tonight will likely be a strong consideration for the Terps (11-1, 4-0 ACC), whose four-goal loss to Old Dominion (14-0) earlier this season was one of the worst losses in recent program history. It was the first time the Terps had been shutout since 2007, their first loss to the Lady Monarchs since 2005 and their first loss by four or more goals since 2002.

"The biggest momentum is the opportunity to play a team that has beaten us," Meharg said. "It's an exciting opportunity to not necessarily get back at Old Dominion, but to play a better brand of hockey. In that way, it's going to be a great game."

One key for the Terps will be getting more productivity out of their attack. Old Dominion's defense ranks second in the nation in goals allowed, so getting the most out of their shooting opportunities will be paramount for the Terps. The team mustered only 10 shots against the Lady Monarchs in the first game and didn't connect on any.

But this is a different Terps offense than the one that traveled to Norfolk, Va., earlier this season. Still trying to piece together an attacking unit that featured so many new faces, the Terps struggled to get anything going against the Lady Monarchs' defense. But in the six weeks between the two meetings, the Terps have improved immensely in the offensive end of the field, ranking eighth in the nation in goals per game.

"We've had a couple halves of hockey where we've seen what the potential of this young attacking unit is," Meharg said. "We've got two freshmen and a sophomore who are really your lead players up there, and they're still jelling. It's exciting, and hopefully we'll have that complete on Friday."

Ultimately, tonight's matchup with Old Dominion is just another regular season game for the Terps, who will face American on the road two days later. But with the top-ranked Lady Monarchs being the last team to defeat the Terps, the team will enter tonight's contest with a little more urgency than usual.

"Of course there's a revenge factor," goalkeeper Natalie Hunter said. "We're really pumped and ready for a second chance to beat them."

"They're our only loss this season," goalkeeper Melissa Vassalotti said. "Obviously, we want to come out and get the win."

vitale@umdbk.com