Women's lacrosse ratchets up defense in rout of Penn State

As Kristy Black readied for a free-position opportunity following a Penn State yellow card, Terrapin women's lacrosse coach Cathy Reese looked out toward her junior attacker.

A little more than ten minutes into their home debut against No. 16 Penn State, the Terps found themselves in a position they'd yet to experience this season: trailing.

"Just score," Reese yelled.

Black did just that, rattling in her first of three goals to even what was a 2-1 deficit. Six minutes later, she again rippled twine, helping the No. 1 Terps turn in one of the team's most impressive defensive performances in recent memory for a 13-2 thrashing yesterday at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex.

The Terps (3-0) did not allow a goal in the contest's last 50:51, an incredible feat in women's lacrosse, especially against a ranked foe. The last time the team held an opponent to two goals or fewer was Mar. 18, 2003 against No. 10 Dartmouth.

"I thought we played a really good game today," Reese said. "Our defense played outstanding. After that first 10 minutes, we were able to hold Penn State scoreless, so [I'm] really proud of our defensive effort. We've been focusing on that over that for the past week and it really showed today."

A patient Terp attack led to 11 unanswered goals after the brief deficit. Along with Black, midfielder Katie Schwarzmann and attacker Sarah Mollison had three goals apiece. Midfielder Brandi Jones added two, while midfielder Alex Aust and defender Brittany Poist both finished with a goal.

Poist, a member of the U.S. national team, netted her first career goal — and the game's final tally — in memorable fashion.

With less than five minutes remaining, the senior raced into Penn State (0-1) territory. Looking to feed a cutting Mollison, Poist reared back and launched a pass from about 30 yards outside the cage. But the ball bounced past her target and somehow bounded through the legs of Nittany Lion goalie Dana Cahill (13 saves).

Defensive communication, an area Reese has specifically noted as critical to the team's success area, was sound all game. Poist, goalie Brittany Dipper (six saves) and defenders Katie Gallagher and Iliana Sanza were quick to cover and sound on their backline, limiting Penn State to just 16 shots total.

"We kind of have a core group of players between me, Katie [Gallagher] and Iliana [Sanza] that we need to talk, but we almost know what the others are thinking," Poist said. "When you have that much of a close-knit group, both on and off the field, it really helps with our slides and as long as we're disciplined, I think we're doing it great."

TERP NOTES: Attacker Karri Ellen Johnson's goal-scoring streak ended at 47 consecutive games, the second-longest mark in school history. The junior wasn't held scoreless, though, finishing with three assists.

Captain Laura Merrifield (shingles) missed her third consecutive game. Her status remains undetermined for the team's showdown with No. 4 Duke on Saturday.

"With that kind of [injury], it's one day at a time, and when she feels well enough to go, we'll go, but we're not rushing her," Reese said. "She is going to be an added bonus when we get her back."

castello@umdbk.com