COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The No. 2 Maryland women's lacrosse team utilized a ferocious first half to mount an eight-goal lead en route to an 18-8 decision against Boston University Wednesday at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex.
The Terps (3-0) were paced in scoring by Brooke Griffin and Taylor Cummings, who each posted four goals. It was a breakout performance for Griffin in 2014, who posted three points in two games prior, while Cummings racked up her third consecutive four-goal showing to begin the season.
Kelly McPartland added a hat trick and Beth Glaros recorded two scores. Maryland picked up additional scoring with one goal apiece from Morgan Torggler, Zoe Stukenberg, Kristen Lamon, Taylor Salandra, and Erin Collins.
Maryland racked up a decisive 25-7 shot advantage and helped force Boston University (0-2) into 11 turnovers in the first stanza. The Terps scored the first three goals of the match, including a pair from Griffin, before BU landed on the scoreboard at 25:40.
McPartland kicked off and capped a punishing 8-0 run with a goal at 22:47 and another at 6:30. The Terps' dynamic attack was on full display in the series with scores coming from six different players including Collins, Lamon, Cummings, Griffin and Stukenberg.
BU posted two late goals in the period to cut the Terps' lead to 11-3 heading into the half but a determined Maryland unit erupted for two tallies in the first 24 seconds of the second period to get the clock running for the remainder of the contest. Maryland stretched the run to six unanswered goals with four additional scores in the first 10 minutes of the half before BU's Kelsey Marafioti stopped the run at 17:21.
Following an unassisted score by Torggler at 16:20, the Terriers closed the game with four goals for an 18-8 final. It was Maryland's third win by 10 or more goals in as many tries in 2014.
The Terps used a 21-7 advantage on the draw to post their highest scoring output of the year. Cummings posted a game-high five draw controls. Freshman Nadine Hadnagy recorded three ground balls and two caused turnovers and sophomore Alice Mercer tallied three caused turnovers to pace the defense.
“I thought we really came out strong to start the game and I was really pleased at how we were connecting offensively,” head coach Cathy Reese said. “I thought we worked the ball well through the midfield and our transition was great, especially in the beginning of the game. We didn't finish as well as we started but we just need to put together that full 60 minutes.”
Maryland will face its first top-ten ranked opponent Saturday when it travels to future Big Ten foe No. 7 Penn State for a 3 p.m. contest.
