Forward Jill Witmer cuts between two Wake Forest defenders during the Terps’ 4-1 victory over Wake Forest on Sept. 20, 2013.
Missy Meharg was surprised as she watched Princeton challenge the Terrapins field hockey team during the first period of their game on Friday.
On film, Princeton looked slow and technically lacking in some areas. But as the Terps coach watched the Tigers match the team’s speed and counterattacking ability, she knew the Tigers would be tough to beat.
“This is not the team that we saw on video preparing for this match,” Meharg said. “I’m just very proud of the Maryland team for being able to bring out the best in Princeton’s squad tonight.”
Still, the Tigers’ effort to become the first team this season to defeat the No. 1 Terps came up short. The Terps beat No. 9 Princeton, 3-1, during a misty evening at the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex.
Both teams were locked in a back-and-forth affair during the first half, as the Terps (13-0) and the Tigers (6-4) exchanged counterattacks . Princeton’s defense looked to stifle the Terps’ ball movement by pressuring with extra defenders on the sidelines.
“Their tactics were not what we saw tonight [on video],” Meharg said. “I think they really mixed some things up against us.”
But the Terps’ offense eventually adapted to the Tigers’ press and orchestrated better chances. Forward Jill Witmer had two opportunities, each off counterattacks, to give the Terps the lead, but Tigers goalkeeper Anya Gersoff denied her on both occasions.
The first goal didn’t come until the 34th minute. On a restart in the Terps’ defensive half, defender Ali McEvoy lofted a pass into Princeton’s circle. Gersoff advanced to save the first attempt from Terps forward Anna Dessoye, but the ball fell to Witmer, who fired a backhanded shot at goal. This time, she was able to find the net.
“I just hit it high,” Witmer said. “On the other two [chances] I was hitting [the ball] low and she saved it.”
Though many of the Terps’ opportunities came from swift attacking moves, they found the most success when they took a more direct approach toward goal. McEvoy’s ability to play the ball over defenders makes such an approach more effective, as shown on the opening goal.
“It’s all about technique and upper body strength. You have get under it, and once you’re under it, be able to lift it up,” Emma Rissinger said. “Not a lot of teams have someone who can throw as far as Ali, so it really helps us.”
And right at the start of the second period, the team continued that direct play. McEvoy played another lofted pass into Princeton’s backfield and the Terps pressured to try and force a turnover. Though the play didn’t lead to a scoring opportunity, the direct play made an impact a minute into the half.
Midfielder Maxine Fluharty fired a long shot from the top of the circle, and Rissinger guided the ball into the left corner of the goal to double the Terps lead. Witmer then scored her second goal of the game two minutes later, deflecting in a long hit from defender Sarah Sprink to make it 3-0.
“I thought that was great reads on our part to play what they gave us, though it was not something that we planned” Meharg said. “When you can score field goals, we’ll take them.”
The Tigers responded in the 49th minute with a goal from forward Maddie Copeland, as the team took advantage of a defensive giveaway to bring the game to within two. From there, Princeton pressured with hopes of scoring a second, but they weren’t able to find the net for the rest of the game.
As the top-ranked team in the nation, the Terps know they will receive stern challenges from opponents poised to get an upset victory, something the team might not be able to prepare for. But as the Terps showed against the Tigers, they can depart from their established game plan in order to come out with a win.
“When [opponents] come against an undefeated team, I think they’re ready to beat us,” Witmer said. “We just got to hold out and play strong.”
