Aug. 15, 2009

Box Score

BOSTON - An overtime goal by senior Nicole Muracco just 54 seconds into overtime broke a scoreless tie and lifted the University of Maryland field hockey team to a 1-0 win over Northeastern in its exhibition opener on Saturday at Sweeney Field.

In the 7-on-7 overtime format, Terp senior Ameliet Rischen jumped on a loose ball in the Northeastern end and found Muracco open in front of the goal. Muracco slid the ball past Husky goalkeeper Lizzie Priest from eight yards out, just inside the left post for the game-winning goal.

The Huskies had several chances to win the game in regulation, but were stifled by the stout Maryland defense and the goalkeeper tandem of Melissa Vassalotti and Alicia Grater. Four minutes into the contest, Northeastern's Crystal Poland produced a scoring chance off a set up from Pamela Aldridge, but her shot skipped just wide of the cage.

Maryland's first good scoring chance was an Emma Thomas shot that went wide of the net off a penalty corner seven minutes into the game. Later, an Amanda Himmelheber shot on goal was denied by Priest with 22 minutes left in the first half.

Just over 10 minutes later, Grater made two stops against Kaela Barker and Carolyn Malloy off a penalty corner to preserve the tie.

Priest was busy five minutes into the second half, as she denied Maryland freshman Kirstie Dennig twice on a scramble in front of the net.

The Huskies outshot the Terrapins 10-9.

The Terrapins were without the services of two-time first team All-American Katie O'Donnell and seniors Brianna Davies and Alexis Pappas, who are currently representing the United States at the 2009 Junior World Cup across town at Harvard University. Maryland will conclude its exhibition season on Monday at 11 a.m. at Boston College.