May 3, 2003
Final Stats
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
In a game that more than lived up to its billing, the second-ranked University of Maryland Terrapins fell in a 9-8 heartbreaker to top-ranked Loyola in front of nearly a thousand fans at Ludwig Field. The game served as the season finale for both teams as each will await seeding in tomorrow's NCAA selection show.
The Greyhounds got the win with four unanswered goals in the game's last 13:00, but it was a game that left one with the feeling that if the game had another 30 minutes, it still would have finished with a one-goal margin.
Loyola took charge in the early going, scoring the game's first three goals while goalkeeper Kim Lawton held the Terrapins at bay. Freshman Delia Cox got things started for the Terps, however, when she scored on an eight meter at the 7:47 mark. Less than five minutes later, junior Kelly Coppedge redirected what looked like an errant Kristie Leggio shot to cut the margin to one before Cox scored on another free position shot just over a minute later.
Senior Sonia Judd would give the Terps their first lead of the day after scoring on a feed from Coppedge while senior goalie Alexis Venechanos made save after save in holding Loyola scoreless for over 19 minutes. That drought would end with Kristi Korrow's goal on a free position shot with just under four minutes left in the half and the score was knotted back at four.
The half came to a close with Maryland controlling the ball in their end for the final minute. Judd ultimately made her way inside the arc and was fouled, a play that would culminate in her finding the net on a free position shot with :03 left in the frame.
The second half began the same as the first ended as Maryland scored just :36 into the period as sophomore Annie Collins found a cutting Coppedge. Collins later took matter into her own hands on an unassisted goal and when Judd found sophomore Jessica Dorney in front of the net for the Terps' eighth goal of the game, all of a sudden Maryland was on top by three goals with just over 20 minutes remaining.
Things still looked good for the Terps with just under 13:00 left, but Greyhound senior Suzanne Eyler scored on an unassisted goal and what would be a sign of things to come. After a Jen Schuerholz free position goal, Eyler would score one of her own and the game was tied at 8-8 with pressure mounting.
Each team had a crack at taking the lead in the final five minutes with neither coming away with a goal. Loyola would ultimately get the ball back with more than two minutes remaining and the Greyhounds held the ball at "X", seeking the game's last shot. Again, it would be Eyler to take it as she forced her way around two defenders from the left side of the cage before finding the net with :26 left.
The Terrapins' last gasp came on the ensuing draw as Cox came away with the ball and found a racing Coppedge as time ticked away. Coppedge tried to get the ball to Leggio who was closing in on the goal with around :07 left, but the ball would get away from her and the final seconds would tick away with Loyola having the lead in hand.
Both teams will learn their fate tomorrow in regards to seeding for this year's NCAA tournament as the selection show will air at 8:00 p.m. on www.ncaasports.com.
