Sept. 21, 2009

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COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The No. 1-ranked Maryland field hockey team shut out the California Golden Bears Monday afternoon, 8-0, at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex. The Terps moved to 9-0 on the year.

Senior Nicole Muracco and junior Katie O'Donnell each added a hat trick on the day. Senior Emma Thomas and freshman Janessa Pope also added a goal to the final score. Seniors Alexis Pappas, Ameliet Rischen, Muracco and Thomas all added an assist to the campaign.

"The coaching staff is very pleased with how the team came in mentally and physically after an exciting ACC opening weekend in Boston," head coach Missy Meharg said.

O'Donnell struck first off an inside pass from Muracco just five minutes into the game. Less than a minute later, Thomas scored on a penalty corner set up from Pappas to put the Terps on top 2-0. Thirteen minutes into the game, Muracco and Thomas teamed up for a goal on another penalty corner. Pope scored her goal thirty minutes in. Maryland went into the half up 4-0.

Coming into the second half, O'Donnell scored her other two goals less than a minute apart and Muracco finalized the score at 8-0 with her last two goals.

The Lady Terps outshot the Golden Bears 18-3 and kept their dominance in penalty corners with an 8-1 advantage. Senior goalkeeper Alicia Grater added a save on the day and Cal's goalkeepers, Maddie Hand and Jessica Pizarek had three saves and two saves, respectively.

"Every player competed today and we met our goal of limiting penalty corner and shot opportunities," Meharg said.

The Terps, ranked No. 1 in the Kookaburra/NFHCA Division I Coaches Poll, will take on No. 3 Wake Forest this Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex.