Box Score COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The second-ranked Maryland field hockey team beat No. 14 Iowa, 4-1, on Senior Day Saturday to win the school's first-ever Big Ten title. The Terrapins (16-2, 7-1 B1G) have won 11 straight games, including seven consecutive conference matches, since Sept. 26 to close the regular season.
The Terps honored seniors Brooke Cabrera, Maxine Fluharty, Katie Gerzabek, Welma Luus and Steffi Schneid prior to Saturday's game. The class of 2014 has earned a record of 75-14 over their four years. In their three postseasons, they made three NCAA Final Four appearances, won the 2011 NCAA championship, 2013 ACC title and this year's Big Ten title.
“It's been a great ride being in the Big Ten,” head coach Missy Meharg said. “Today, we are so proud of the women. These women compete so hard together every day. To be the first Big Ten regular season champions at Maryland is a tribute to them.”
Fluharty put the Terrapins on the board in the 17th minute when she buried a hard shot after Iowa goalkeeper Alexandra Pecora tried to knock away a loose ball.
Just 2:28 before halftime, Alyssa Parker tipped in a score from the right post when she finished off a pass from junior Sarah Sprink on a penalty corner. Maryland led 2-0 at the break.
Iowa (11-6. 4-4) cut it to a one-goal lead for the Terps when Dani Hemeon scored off a rebound on a penalty corner in the 50th minute.
Maryland responded 65 seconds later when Anna Dessoye sent in a high shot to the top left corner of the cage after Lein Holsboer tipped it to her. Fluharty added her second score of the day with about nine minutes to play off a pass from Gerzabek.
Maryland outshot Iowa, 29-10, and had 11 penalty corners to the Hawkeyes' five. Cabrera picked up five saves in goal.
Twelve Terps have combined to score 79 goals this year and four Terrapins have scored at least 10 goals - Fluharty (15), Sprink (12), Moira Putsch (11) and Dessoye (11). Gerzabek leads Maryland, and the Big Ten, in assists with 20. Dessoye leads the team with 38 points. The Terrapins lead the Big Ten in all offensive team categories. For the full Big Ten statistical rankings, click here.
Next, the Terrapins will play in their first Big Ten Tournament beginning Thursday, Nov. 6 at Michigan's Phyllis Ocker Field in Ann Arbor. The Terps have clinched the top seed. The full bracket will be released Sunday.
Thursday's four quarterfinals matchups will be streamed online through BTN Plus and will require a subscription. Friday's Semifinals and Sunday's Big Ten championship game will be televised internationally on the Big Ten Network and the BTN2Go app. International fans can watch all of the action at http://international.btn2go.com/ with a subscription.
Log on to umterps.com for full information on the Terps' first trip to the Big Ten Field Hockey Tournament, or visit the tournament central at http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/w-fieldh/spec-rel/big-ten-2014.html.
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