Midfielder Taylor Cummings celebrates her first goal of the game when the Terps defeated Northwestern, 9-6, in the semifinals of the 2014 NCAA tournament on May 23, 2014 at Johnny Unitas Stadium.
As the Terrapins women’s lacrosse team passed the ball in circles around the William & Mary goal late in the first half of Sunday afternoon’s contest, the Tribe players appeared to be back on their heels.
With her opponent seemingly buying into her feigned relaxation, Terps midfielder Taylor Cummings darted into the circle in an effort to dodge a defender and score. But the junior lost control of the ball. William & Mary gained possession before setting off in transition, using long passes to carry the ball down the field and score a goal of its own.
Though the No. 1 Terps were the more dominant team in their first live action since their national championship victory last May, the squad left room for refinement in its 15-5 victory over the Tribe in Williamsburg, Virginia.
“It was amazing to kick off the 2015 season with a great team win,” midfielder Zoe Stukenberg said. “It was awesome to get a chance to show off the stuff we have been working on all year and see where we can improve.”
Stukenberg led the Terps with six points on three goals and three assists, while Cummings posted a team-high four scores and nine draw controls.
It was Cummings who scored the team’s first goal of the season 25 seconds into the contest and set the tone for the Terps’ 8-0 run to open the game.
“The team started out really strong today,” coach Cathy Reese said. “[Cummings] did a great job off the draw, and we were able to see a lot of girls contribute on offense. William & Mary put up a fight, and we’re happy to have our first win.”
After Cummings’ tally, Stukenberg, attackers Megan Whittle and Kristen Lamon and midfielder Kelly McPartland all contributed goals.
“I think the first 10 minutes of the game showcased exactly what Maryland lacrosse is about: working together, pushing the fast break and sticking it in the back of the net,” Cummings said.
The Terps encountered struggles after the offensive outburst, though, as senior goalkeeper Alex Fitzpatrick surrendered three straight goals to shrink the lead to five.
Fitzpatrick, a graduate transfer from Lehigh, earned the starting nod after winning a preseason competition against sophomore Emily Kift and freshman Emma Moss. Kift, though, replaced Fitzpatrick in net for the second half Sunday.
The Terps built an 11-3 lead over the Tribe in the first half, outshooting their opponents 15-9. By the game’s end, Reese’s squad held a 25-14 advantage in shots. But both teams were sloppy with possession. The Terps forced 18 turnovers and surrendered 16 of their own.
Attacker Brooke Griffin sparked the Terps’ four-goal second half by finding the back of the net about 40 seconds into the period. A subsequent free-position score by senior defender Shanna Brady pushed the Terps’ lead to 14-4. The 10-goal gap resulted in a running clock for the majority of the remaining time.
With increased energy to start the second half, the Terps locked down defensively and only conceded two more scores in the contest.
“The overall energy and intensity was amazing, and we look forward to carrying that with us throughout the 2015 season,” Stukenberg said.
Despite the windy, chilly weather conditions and the inevitable rustiness from the nine-month layoff, the Terps proved their ability to maintain a versatile offensive attack and control the tempo of the game as they coasted to their first victory of the year.
“We’re just excited that the season has started,” Reese said. “We had a great preseason, and I think everyone has been ready to get out and play. Today was a good start and we’re just excited to have the season underway.”
