CATONSVILLE, Md. - After surrendering the first two goals of the game, the No. 2 Maryland women's lacrosse team turned up the heat with a crushing 14-0 run en route to a 14-3 win at UMBC on a snow-framed field Friday afternoon.
The Terps (1-0) captured the season-opening victory much in part to the success of several young players including freshman Zoe Stukenberg and sophomore Taylor Cummings. The tandem combined for eight of Maryland's 14 goals on the day.
After a rocky start, including two UMBC goals in the first five minutes of play, Maryland settled in with three free position goals – two by Cummings, one by Kristen Lamon – to take the lead with one minute to play in the first half. Brooke Griffin kept that momentum going into the half with a score off an assist by Cummings with one second remaining for a 4-2 Terrapin advantage at the break.
Maryland's second-half rally was fueled by its domination at the draw, winning the period's first nine draw controls. A mere 1:04 into the second stanza, Cummings once again found the back of the net and kicked off a 10-goal scoring spree in the period which included one additional goal by Cummings, four by Stukenberg, and one apiece from Griffin, Beth Glaros, Kelly McPartland and freshman Deb Milani.
A stingy Maryland defense wouldn't allow another Retriever score for nearly 50 minutes until UMBC landed on the scoreboard with a goal from Sam Nolan with about five minutes to play to shrink the Terps' lead to 11 where it would stay for the remainder of the contest.
“It was great to get out today and get the season started,” head coach Cathy Reese said. “I thought once we were able to shake off some of the rust and settle into our offense, we were able to do some really good things, especially in the second half.”
Cummings ended the game with a team-high five draw controls and three caused turnovers. After posting nine turnovers in the first half, the Terps' recorded only three in the final 30 minutes of play while forcing the Retrievers into 14 on the day. Maryland outshot UMBC 33-9. Megan Douty led the Terps defensively with three ground balls and two caused turnovers as goalies Abbey Clipp and Emily Kift split time in the cage with two saves each.
Maryland returns to competition Sunday at 1 p.m. for its home opener against Richmond.
