After rolling her ankle in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, Terrapin field hockey defender Jemma Buckley wasn’t even sure if she would play in yesterday’s quarterfinal match against Connecticut.
But after a night of rest and ice under the supervision of trainer Sandy Worth, Buckley suited up for the top-seeded Terps. Her presence made all the difference for the Terps, who topped the Huskies, 3-1, in the quarterfinals. Buckley’s game-winning goal off a second-half penalty corner sent the Terps to their third consecutive Final Four, where they will face Ohio State on Friday.
“It’s still sore,” Buckley said, “but I’m getting through.”
In the game’s 46th minute, with the score knotted at one, the Terps (21-1) lined up for a penalty corner knowing they needed a goal to swing momentum in their favor. After an insertion from forward Katie O’Donnell and a set from defender Harriet Tibble, Buckley rifled a hard, low slap shot past Connecticut goalkeeper Sarah Mansfield (eight saves).
The score gave the Terps the lead for good, and another tally 12 minutes later secured the program’s 45th victory in the NCAA Tournament.
“I’ve been working hard with [assistant coach Tjerk van Herwaarden] during the week on straight shots,” Buckley said. “A penalty corner is pretty much a straight shot at goal, so you should put them away.”
After Saturday’s 4-2 victory over Massachusetts, coach Missy Meharg called Buckley’s status for yesterday’s game uncertain. The veteran coach crafted a game plan accounting for Buckley’s absence, all the while hoping it wouldn’t have to be used.
Following the team’s win over the Huskies (16-6), Meharg emphasized Buckley’s importance to the team.
“Jemma’s a seasoned player. There’s no question she’s involved in every bit of our game plan” in the midfield, Meharg said. “We were very thankful that she was [able to play].”
Although the Terps left with the win, it was Connecticut that got the action started. The Huskies converted on a 14th-minute penalty-corner opportunity when defender Jestine Angelini put a drag shot into the net’s upper right side.
Connecticut controlled possession for much of the first half, but the Terps were finally able to break through in the 22nd minute with a goal from midfielder Megan Frazer.
“It’s all a bit of a fight,” defender Alicia Morawski said. “You go down one to nothing, and you realize, ‘Oh crap, I am down.’ But I think we rebounded well. … Just making sure that we were playing our game using quick passes.”
After Buckley received a yellow card with more than seven minutes remaining, putting the Terps a man down for five minutes, Connecticut applied its last bit of pressure. But goalkeeper Melissa Vassalotti shined, recording five of her six total saves in the second half.
“She was really disappointed that she misplayed that first [Connecticut goal],” Meharg said. “She took her eye off it at the last minute, and it was a save that she could’ve had. She’s a fighter, and she’s competitive. She keeps reaching new levels.”
With the win, the Terps advanced to next weekend’s Final Four, which is being hosted at this university. It will be their 14th appearance in the sport’s final weekend.
“I’m so proud of these Maryland women for fighting back against a great Connecticut team,” Meharg said. “We’ve made it to College Park, and that was our goal all year.”
TERP NOTE: O’Donnell, who recorded three assists in yesterday’s win, broke the single-season record for assists, which was previously held by Jen Pratt (33). O’Donnell has 34 assists this season.
jengelke@umdbk.com
