Nov. 21, 2010

Recap |  Final Stats |  Notes

Maryland Head Coach Brenda Frese

Opening statement:

"First of all we are thrilled for the women's field hockey teams who are now the national champions. What a great day for Maryland athletics and we are so happy for Missy Meharg and her team. I thought we had a better effort across the board today for the full 40 minutes. It's very encouraging given the fact that we just came off of a stretch of 4 games in 9 days. I thought that our depth was able to wear out American. I saw a lot of great things in terms of our team, energy, having a quick start and trying to get better today. I think that you are beginning to see us come together as a team."

On the quick start to today's game:

"We felt like that was very important both first half and second half. We wanted to have a lot of energy and give credit to the five out there; I thought they came out very inspired. What really sparked it was our transition game. I thought we did a really great job of being up tempo."

On the defensive play:

"I thought especially in the first half we were very good in terms of our intensity level, and making things difficult in terms of the way that they like to shoot the three. In the second half we had some break downs but that was with some different combinations that are in the game. Being able to change up our defense was very important and something that we are starting to build on and improve."

Freshman Forward Alyssa Thomas

On her play today:

"I just came out with intensity and tried to pick my game up because last game I couldn't finish my shot, so that was my main focus today."

On the rebounding effort:

"Anytime we go out there we are trying to crash the boards and get rebounds."

Junior Guard Kim Rodgers

On sparking Maryland's runs:

"Basketball is a game of runs; I just hit the open shots that my team found me in good places where I was open. I just had to hit down open shots."

American Head Coach Matt Corkery

Opening statement:

"I am very impressed with Maryland and their team; the way they came out of the gates they really set the tone. We had a hard time stopping the ball in transition and that is something that we take a lot of pride in as far as transition defense and not giving up easy baskets. Off of misses it was very hard to get stops and keep them out of the lane, so they got a lot of easy baskets there. I thought they used their length and size very well, they played hard and tried to take away the things that we do well and that was very apparent early in the game. I am very impressed with their team and with Brenda and everything that they have going on, I think they have a very bright future this season."

On the challenges of playing a team like Maryland:

"I think it is the length and the size coupled with their athleticism. They are big and long but they can move, usually when we see big and long we don't see that type of quickness or explosiveness. They are highly skilled players, when you but all of that into a good system that they run and the play smart, hard and together like that sometimes you can have an outcome like you had today."

On in-game adjustments:

"We really just tried to focus on the things we see on the floor and make adjustments on them. You saw us play some zone midway through the first half, and use some different offensive looks that we thought we could have some success with. You are just trying to manage the details of the game and try to coach the kids and put them into the best positions possible. It's not any different if you are up 25 or down 25, as far as my job, we are just trying to coach them and put them into the best situations possible for them to be successful. It doesn't always work and it didn't work today but that's the mission and the goal."