Former forward Katie Gerzabek tries to move the ball out of the corner during the Terps’ 5-1 victory over Princeton on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at College Park.

For the Terrapins field hockey team, Friday night marked the first opportunity to move past disappointment. After a seemingly charmed 2014 campaign ended in the second round of the NCAA tournament, the Terps were eager to make a statement on the road at Temple.

But when the Terps peered at the opposite sideline, they got a glimpse into the past. Katie Gerzabek, a four-year starting forward who recorded 31 points for the Terps last year, is an assistant coach for the Owls. 

Gerzabek’s presence didn’t serve as a distraction, as the Terps picked up a 4-2 victory. But in the aftermath of the contest, the Terps said they relished the opportunity to compete against Gerzabek.

“It was weird for her to be on the opposite field,” defender Kasey Tapman said. “But since we stepped on the field, we knew it was game time, so no matter who’s on the opposing side, we’re going to go out there and give it all we’ve got.”

Playing against Gerzabek was a unique experience for Tapman in particular, as the two were in the same recruiting class. Plus, they were roommates for four years and frequently squared off in practice.

“We’re always good competitors, even when she used to be on the team,” Tapman said. “We would go at it as hard as we could, so we definitely wanted to face off and compete.”

Gerzabek has worked with the Owls forwards since arriving, and penetrating the Terps backline proved a difficult first test. Temple didn’t score until forward Tricia Light banged in a penalty corner shot nearly 30 minutes into the game.

By that point, Terps freshman forward Linnea Gonzales had driven into the circle for her first career score, and forward Welma Luus had redirected a pass from forward Julie Duncan to push the Terps’ lead to 2-0.

Gonzales, who scored again early in the second half, was one of the few Terps whom Gerzabek hadn’t played with in the past.

“I’ve played with all these girls mostly, so it was definitely fun to try and stop them,” Gerzabek said. “It was a little different being on the sideline, but it’s definitely good. Once a Terp, always a Terp.”

That mantra rang true when the final horn sounded on the Terps’ first victory of the weekend. Though the team was eager to celebrate its first win of a new season, the members took a moment to reminisce with Gerzabek.

“We went up to her and congratulated them with everything,” Tapman said. “It was just like old times.”