George Mason is no problem for No. 2 Terps

FAIRFAX, Va. – As yesterday's game finally came to a close, George Mason goalkeeper Sara Longobucco sank to her knees, physically drained from almost 60 minutes of having to stop shots from seemingly every angle and distance.

The senior tried everything to keep the Terrapin women's lacrosse team from exerting its powerful offense, even coming up with 18 saves.

But when the Terps controlled nearly every draw and possession, the barrage of shots and goals were inevitable. Using their offense as a defense, the Terps prevented the Patriots from taking any shots in the first 20 minutes of the first half while racing out to a 10-goal lead.

For the first time this season, coach Cathy Reese could give her freshman class and bench quality minutes as the No. 2 Terps (5-0, 2-0 ACC) won handily at George Mason, 16-4.

"We need to get these guys experience," Reese said. "They are a talented class. I think they played really well on both sides of the field. It's tough to throw them in, but they are working hard and getting a feel of the college game."

Because of early season tests against top-20 teams such as Penn State, Duke and Virginia, Reese hasn't been able to groom her younger players. With her team dominating through the early part of the game, Reese decided to put in the seldom-used younger players instead of continuing the scoring romp.

A total of 16 substitutes played in the game, including nine freshmen. Despite the changes, the Terps continued to keep a safe 10-goal cushion for most of the second half, meaning a running clock.

Of the freshmen, midfielder Alex Aust particularly stood out, contributing two goals and one assist — both career-firsts. Defenders Iliana Sanza and Melissa Diepold played the majority of the contest.

"It feels great," Aust said. "It's great that we can change the entire lineup and not see a difference in tempo or anything. We can put anyone in and run just as fast, keep the pressure up and keep possession."

But it was Terps' midfielder Caitlyn McFadden who really broke the game open, allowing for the substitutes to enter the game.

McFadden put up another stat-stuffing effort, dominating George Mason with three goals and four assists on only five shots.

"We want to play for them to get them in so that they can have some experience too," McFadden said. "We can go hard the entire time and know that someone can relieve us."

The Terps scored the first 10 goals of the game while the Patriots struggled to move the ball past midfield. Whenever the Patriots (2-3) recovered a missed shot or turnover, they tried to move the ball back and forth looking for any opening to move forward. But the Terp attackers and midfielders doubled-teamed and pressured to get the ball right back.

George Mason's Megan Udovich came off the bench to score twice in 18 seconds to give the Patriots something to cheer about. The scores came near the end of the first half when Reese had begun inserting substitutes. By that time, the game was all but decided.

For Reese, it was the perfect way to give her deep and talented freshman group — along with her other underclassmen — a chance to prove themselves.

"It's very important to get them in," Reese said. "It's encouraging to have this kind of depth as a coach. I don't have to worry as much."

ceckard@umdbk.com