The field hockey team’s long homestand continues tomorrow as No. 12-ranked American University, Northwestern University and Temple University come to town for the annual Terrapin Invitational Tournament.
This weekend’s matchups fall amidst a three-week stint of home games that will allow the team to remain in College Park until the last week of September.
“This is a great time to be here at home and at this venue,” coach Missy Meharg said. “The schedule has definitely worked out in our favor, having three full weeks at home. This is a young group in terms of playing together, so every playing opportunity is such an advancement.”
Meharg said the team concentrated this week on taking advantage of goal-scoring opportunities and playing tighter defense close to the goal. Old Dominion exploited areas left open by the Terp defense on rushes up the field on several occasions.
Nevertheless, defense has been a strong point through the first four games. Junior goalie Kathryn Masson has pitched two shutouts, and the team has allowed only one goal.
The Terps are riding a perfect 18-0 record all-time in the tournament, including wins over California and Stanford last season. The team defeated Northwestern in the season opener last year, but hasn’t played Temple since 1997, so Meharg said she’s not sure of what to expect.
“Mostly, right now, these games are pretty neat because we’re playing so many people,” she said. “We continue to work on and balance having so many people on the field, because that’s a bit of the change.”
Terps vs. Temple
Where: Field Hockey Complex
When: Tomorrow, 11 a.m.
Contact reporter Geremy Bass at geremybass@gmail.com.
