Box Score
Rutgers
2
4
#3 Maryland
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The third-ranked Maryland field hockey team (15-3, 7-1 B1G) won its third straight Big Ten title outright Sunday with a 4-2 win over Rutgers to close the regular season.
With the win, the Terrapins clinched the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten Tournament next week at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex. They will play eighth-seeded Rutgers Thursday at 3 p.m. on the Big Ten Network. For ticket, television and other information, click here.
The Terrapins recognized their five seniors - Grace Balsdon, Courtney Deena, Delaney Leathers, Welma Luus and Emma Rissinger - prior to the match. Together, they've earned a record of 75-13. This class has played in a Final Four, won an ACC title and three Big Ten titles.
“It's been quite a run the last few weeks with some incredible teams and Rutgers is no different,” head coach Missy Meharg said. “They came out very fiery and got on the board first. They put a lot of pressure on us mentally. Halftime was good to have. We just made a few tactical adjustments and had the women relax and play the way that we can play. The second half was good Maryland hockey. I love to see them raise the trophy and put hats and T-shirts on and represent Maryland as Big Ten regular season champions.”
Rutgers (9-8, 2-6) took the early lead when Rachel Yaney made a quick move to send one over the goal line in the seventh minute.
Less than five minutes later, junior Carrie Hanks buried one off a penalty corner to tie the match at one in the 12th minute. The teams would stay tied, 1-1, at halftime.
Luus wasted no time giving the Terps their first lead when she scored 11 seconds into the second period off a pass from freshman Sophie Pelzer on the right side.
Six minutes later, Pelzer found fellow freshman Kelee Lepage five yards in front of the goal for a quick score. The Terps took a two-goal lead in the 42nd minute.
Sophomore Linnea Gonzales found freshman Madison Maguire for a score in the 48th minute. Gonzales sent a pass into the circle and Maguire deflected it in from the right post to give Maryland a 4-1 lead with 22 minutes to play.
Maryland outshot Rutgers, 22-5 and had eight penalty corners to none. Goalkeeper Sarah Bates and Sarah Holliday each made a save in goal.
Maryland is ranked No. 3 in the latest RPI rankings, available here.
Next, the Big Ten Tournament will open Thursday with the Quarterfinals round. The full bracket and game times will be announced Saturday.
Fans planning to attend games Thursday and Friday before 4 p.m. will be directed to park in lot 11B, the lot next to the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex, in the first row closest to the field. Fans parked in other areas of the lot or other lots may be subject to ticketing before 4 p.m. Overflow parking will be available in the Terrapin Trail Garage.
All lots will be free and open after 4 p.m. and for Sunday's championship game. Click here for a campus parking map.
DEFLECTIONS: Maryland leads the all-time series with Rutgers, 28-3-1, and has won the last 11 straight matchups, dating back to 1999 … The Terps are 109-34-3 (.757) all-time against Big Ten opponents… Meharg is 92-14-1 (.864) vs. Big Ten opponents in her 29 years at the helm of the Maryland field hockey program…Maryland is 156-17 (.902) in the 13 seasons at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex…Meharg owns a record of 524-126-9 (.802) in her 29 years as head coach of the Terrapins.
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