EAST LANSING, MI – No. 6 Maryland field hockey toppled Michigan State, 3-1, at Ralph Young Field on Friday. The win was the 650th for head coach
Missy Meharg, allowing her to become just the third NCAA field hockey coach to reach that milestone. She's also the only active coach who has reached that milestone.
The Terps (8-3, 4-1 Big Ten) trailed 1-0 at halftime but exploded offensively in the second half. Two goals by
Ella Gaitan within less than two minutes in the third period put Maryland ahead 2-1.
Gaitan, a freshman, scored her fourth and fifth goals of the season after earning Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors for scoring twice in Maryland's match against Iowa.
Ball State transfer Fleur Knopert extended Maryland's lead in the fourth with her second goal as a Terp. All three of Maryland's goals came within five minutes of one another.
Maryland's defense, led by Ericka Morris-Adams, Josie Hollamon and Rayne Wright, posted a second-half shutout. Over its last four games, its defense has given up just two goals. The Terps held advantages in shots (16-3), shots on goal (10-1) and corners (9-2).
The Terps improved to 17-0 all-time against the Spartans (6-6, 0-2 Big Ten).
Breaking Down The Action
- Maryland earned its first corner opportunity six minutes into the game. Emma Deberdine sent a pass in that Hope Rose shot, but it was blocked.
- The Terps earned two more corners, but shots by Maci Bradford and Annemijn Klijnhout were blocked, and Rose's second shot went wide.
- Michigan State scored first from Lilian Knorr to lead 1-0. Maddie Lawlor earned the assist.
- The Terps went into halftime trailing 1-0. However, they held advantages in shots (6-1) and corner opportunities (5-0).
- Maryland took its seventh corner with less than three minutes in the third. Hope Rose shot the ball off the inbound but the Spartans' goalie made the stop. Ella Gaitan was in the right place to score off the rebound.
- Less than two minutes later, Ella Gaitan scored her second goal of the day to give the Terps a 2-1 lead. The score went under review but was upheld.
- Fleur Knopert joined the scoring party in the fourth, making it three goals in less than five minutes. The Terps led 3-1.
Numbers To Know
- 2: The Terps have allowed just two goals in their last four games.
- 2: Fleur Knopert scored her second goal as a Terp.
- 5: Ella Gaitan has five goals in her freshman year.
- 17: Maryland is 17-0 all-time against Michigan State.
- 650: head coach Missy Meharg reached 650 career wins, becoming just the third coach to reach that milestone and the only active coach.
- 802: Maryland earned its 802nd win as a program.
Up Next
- Maryland returns to the Maryland Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex on Oct. 14 for an out-of-conference matchup against American. The game starts at 6 p.m. and will be streamed live on Big Ten Plus.
