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COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
The top-seeded Maryland field hockey team beat Massachusetts 4-2 Saturday in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. The Terps (20-1) advanced to the NCAA Second Round and will play No. 5 Connecticut Sunday at 2 p.m.
Senior Katie O'Donnell led the Terrapins with a goal and an assist. In the third minute, O'Donnell drew a penalty stroke from UMass goalkeeper Alesha Widdall. Freshman Ali McEvoy took the stroke for Maryland to take the 1-0 lead.
In the eighth minute, freshman Hayley Turner tipped in a shot off of a corner setup. Junior Jemma Buckley sent a pass to Turner just in front of the goal for a 2-0 Terps lead. Five minutes later, the Minutewomen got on the board when Makaela Potts sent in a shot off of a corner setup from Nikki Panciocco and Jaime Bourazeris.
Less than two minutes after the Minutewomen's score, O'Donnell scored herself. Freshman Jill Witmer sent the ball to sophomore Janessa Pope, who was just in front of the goal. Pope sent the ball over to O'Donnell on the other side for a 3-1 lead. Pope scored five minutes later from O'Donnell for the 4-1 lead at the break.
UMass scored its second goal in the 56th minute as Bourazeris tipped in a pass from Potts for the score.
Maryland will face Connecticut Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex. The Huskies beat American 3-2 Saturday in penalty strokes. Due to a men's basketball game Sunday afternoon, traffic on and around campus will be heavy. Fans will be directed to parking lot 4i, the lot directly next to the Complex.
Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students. Fans can purchase tickets by visiting the Terrapin Ticket Office online at umterps.com or by calling 1-800-IM-A-TERP.
Fans will be able to watch the Sunday's game live on-line for free at NCAA.com All-Access. The Terps' game will also be broadcast live on WMUCSports.com.
Maryland will also be hosting the NCAA Semifinals on Nov. 19 and the Finals on Nov. 21. The Semifinal games will be played at 2:00 and 4:30 p.m. The championship game will be played at noon. Tickets are on sale now at umterps.com.
- Terps - 