Aug. 20, 2010

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COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland field hockey team shut down Penn State 3-1 Friday afternoon in a preseason scrimmage in College Park. After falling behind 1-0 early in the game, the Terps did not allow the Nittany Lions a shot in the second half.

"We're very excited," head coach Missy Meharg said after Friday's exhibition. "We know we've got goal-scorers and we know we have finishers. That's an area where we're very well-represented, but we've got a lot of movement to work on. We're really excited, we had a good number of players play, new players who played."

The Nittany Lions struck first, as Brittany Grzywacz scored just seven minutes into the game. Terps' sophomore Lindsey Puckett tied the game 20 minutes later off an assist from sophomore Kirstie Dennig in front of the goal.

The game stayed tied at one for much of the second half, as Maryland did not allow Penn State a shot for the entire 35 minutes.

"As wonderful as they are, we didn't give up a shot in the second half to a great Penn State team. We gave up seven in the first half and none in the second half. We evolved 100 percent, I would say, in the second half. Our goal is to build a great defense," Meharg said.

Sophomore Janessa Pope gave the Terps the lead when she knocked one in with seven minutes remaining in the game. Senior Katie O'Donnell finalized the score at 3-1 off a deflection from junior Jemma Buckley with three minutes remaining in the game.

19 Terps saw action in the contest and seven took at least one shot. Redshirt junior Melissa Vassalotti started in goal and had four saves on the day.

The Terrapins will play a Red/White game Saturday, Aug. 21 at 8 a.m. All fans are welcome to attend.