COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The fourth-ranked Maryland field hockey team (6-1) picked up its third shutout victory of the year Sunday with a 4-0 win over James Madison at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex.
 
Twenty-four Terrapins entered the matchup as they controlled much of the game. Maryland earned its third straight win, all in the last five days.
 
"I think we were dominant today and we found a way to get some strokes and protect a would-be goal," head coach Missy Meharg said. "I think we are just in a very good place right now. Preseason was cut so short with school starting. I feel this weekend we are actually getting on track to a style of play that we'd be very proud of. We have a lot of people playing a lot of different positions that they're comfortable with. We can match up however we want."
 
Maryland got on the board early when sophomore Riley Donnelly made a penalty stroke just 1:17 into the match. The Terrapins started off strong, taking five shots in the opening five minutes.
 
The Terrapins doubled their lead when senior Madison Maguire deflected in a pass off senior Kelee Lepage's stick with just under 12:00 left in the second quarter. Maryland led 2-0 at halftime.
 
Junior co-captain Bodil Keus made it a three-goal lead for the Terps when she sent in a high shot, just under the crossbar, off a penalty corner 9:00 into the third quarter. Freshman Nathalie Fiechter and sophomore Bibi Donraadt assisted on the play.
 
Just under four minutes later, The Terrapins were awarded another penalty stroke. Donnelly again made the shot to make it a 4-0 lead over James Madison (2-4) with just over 17 minutes to play.
 
Maryland outshot James Madison 25-11 and had eight penalty corners to five for the Dukes.
 
Senior goalkeeper Noelle Frost made four saves in her 48 minutes in goal. Sophomore goalkeeper Skye Joegriner played the last 12 minutes and made a save.
 
Next, the Terrapins will open Big Ten play with a home matchup vs. No. 17 Penn State Friday at 6 p.m. at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex.
 
The Terps-Nittany Lions matchup will be streamed on BTN Plus. Fans around the world can watch with their BTN Plus subscriptions, which start at $9.99 per month. Live stats will also be available.
 
For the latest information, follow the Terrapins on Twitter at @terpsfh and on Instagram at @terpsfh. 
 
DEFLECTIONS… Senior Madison Maguire reached 75 career points in Sunday's matchup… The Terrapins own the all-time series over James Madison, 24-5-3 and have won 11 straight matchups…Maryland is 182-20 all-time at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex…head coach Missy Meharg is 571-139-9 (.801) in her 32 years as head coach.
 

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Head Coach Missy Meharg

On decision process behind having Riley Donnelly take the penalty strokes:
"We've got a good number of women that can make that skill with Riley being one of them and she exceptionally embodies our drives."

On how there are many players that can play all three positions:
"Well, it's all about matchups now, I don't see many teams that have the versatility to play in the defence and midfield and vice versa. Nathalie can also play in midfield. She will probably come up in there a little bit. Riley can play in the front, she can play in the midfield, she can play in the back, so it's a luxury."

On getting an early start in the game:
"Well, it's always nice to get on the board, but what is really nice is to get the second goal. I just think that puts in the mindset of the game, in which it shouldn't, but it does and that is the reality of the game. You can start having different people play, the women know that and want to get as many of their teammates in the game as possible. [They] might have 25 shots against Virginia; [they] have to just stay focused on how [they] are playing and just get better and better and better. [They] have to get penalty corners, detail on the penalty corners, and finish."

On what she is looking for from Madison Maguire for the rest of the season:
"Well, she's a leader. She has a lot of set pieces. She makes plays. She's a good player as well. Teams respect her so much so you can be sure where she goes people will clear with her and open up space for others. She's a dominant player."

On what today's win means:
"It's not necessarily about winning the games, although I want to win and I expect to and I think the women do too, it's about the style of play. We know the range of level of competition is so broad right? It's about where were we with Duke and Virginia. I think we were dominant today and we found a way to get some strokes and protect a would-be goal. I think we are just in a very good place right now. Preseason was cut so short with school starting. I feel this weekend we are actually getting on track to a style of play that we'd be very proud of. We have a lot of people playing a lot of different positions that they're comfortable with them. We can match up however we want."

Sophomore Defender Riley Donnelly

On taking the two penalty strokes today:
"I think taking strokes more than anything is really a mental game. I just try to tell myself that I'm just at practice taking a stroke and just go from there."

On the team's energy:
"Energy is something that's contagious. One person's excited, then the next person, then the next person. We're really big on having a good team energy and working together. I think on the field too, we're all able to communicate well with each other and the better we'll connect."

Freshman Midfielder Natalie Fiechter

On having to adapt quickly to her role on the team:
"I just came here to do the best I can and hopefully get some minutes. Just do my best. I help the team and do whatever I can and I'm really happy with how things are going. We keep on going because we want to win everything."

On the team's energy:
"I'm really new here but the first time I came here I already feltl welcomed by everyone. Everyone helped me out with little things and big things. I think that's another thing that makes us a good team."