Box Score COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The second-ranked Maryland field hockey team threatened throughout the NCAA Quarterfinal matchup, but ultimately fell 2-1 to No. 12 Albany at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex Sunday.
The Terrapins (19-4) controlled the ball for much of the match, but did not score until the final minutes. Seven of Maryland's 11 shots were saved.
“Of course this is exceedingly disappointing,” head coach Missy Meharg said. “At different times in the season, we've, by definition, let the 'underdog' rule our world in the first half. Unfortunately, our leadership group let that happen again. Credit to Albany. They are a tenacious team with incredible set pieces and penalty corners. Their goalkeeper was outrageous today. Maryland brought a lot to the table a little bit too late.”
Trailing 2-0, Meharg pulled redshirt senior goalkeeper Brooke Cabrera from goal in favor of an extra field player with 8:22 left to play.
Meharg's tactics worked when less than two minutes later, senior Welma Luus finally buried a shot for a 2-1 game.
Maryland took six of its 11 in the second half as the Terrapins pushed offensively throughout.
Albany (20-2) opened the scoring in the 19th minute off a penalty corner. The Terrapins drew stops on the first two shots on the corner, then Echo Bretz forced one just over the line for the score.
The Great Danes made it a two-goal lead when Pahila Arnold scored off of a penalty corner in the 43rd minute.
Maryland won the Big Ten regular season title with a 7-1 conference record. This marked the Terps' 20th straight NCAA Tournament appearance.
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