April 28, 2004
Final Stats
PRINCETON, N.J. -
Delia Cox scored six goals as No. 4 Maryland pushed No. 1 to the limit, but the Terps fell 8-7 in overtime Wednesday night at The Class of 1952 Stadium. The Tigers got the game-winning goal with just :17 left in the second overtime session to propel them to the victory.
"It was just a great game between two great teams," head coach Cindy Timchal said. "We played well defensively, they just were able to get that last goal."
Cox was the primary source of offense for Maryland, with her six goals matching a career high that she set earlier this season against Syracuse.
The Terps got on the board first when Cox beat the double team to get to the cage for the score in the game's fourth minute. From there, the Tigers dominated possession for the rest of the first half. Princeton benefited from a yellow card on Greta Sommers as Princeton scored three goals while one of Maryland's top defenders was on the sideline. In that run from 16:22-13:07, the Tigers won all three draw controls.
Cox got the Terps within one to make the score 3-2 with 5:32 left in the half, but Sherry countered just :30 later as the Tigers took a 4-2 lead into the locker room.
Princeton and Maryland, who average 14 goals per game - the most in the nation - combined for just six goals in the first half.
Princeton took its biggest lead at 7-4 with 10 minutes remaining, but Cox had the answer for the Terps scoring twice to trim the Tiger lead to one. Brooke Richards got the equalizer at 7-7 after a nice one-on-one move just to the right of the cage freed her up for the goal with 6:12 remaining in the game.
Freshman Meghan Higgins also helped the Terps maintain the momentum in their 3-0 run by helping Maryland control two of three draw controls down the stretch in regulation. In overtime, Higgins helped Maryland win two of the three draws.
In the first overtime period, the Tigers won the draw control, but goalie Kirah Miles stopped two shots by Theresa Sherry from close range. On the ensuing Terp possession, Coppedge curled around the back of the cage and fired a shot but it was saved. Sherry got off a last-gasp effort as time expired, but Miles again able to make the save.
The Terps took the draw in the second half, but the Tigers were able to force a turnover to start their offensive possession. After a thorough possession, Princeton was finally able to get the game-winner on a goal from Hardiman on a pass from Sherry. On the play, Sherry, behind the cage, found Hardiman cutting open through the fan for the score. The Terps won the draw, but were unable to get a good look at the goal as time expired.
Maryland's Kelly Coppedge was held scoreless for the first time in 40 games. She scored at least one point in every game in the 2003 season and every game this season until tonight.
Maryland will face another tough test on Saturday as they travel to take on No. 3 Loyola. The first draw is schedule for 3 p.m.
