The Terrapins field hockey team was perfect all time against its two opponents entering this weekend, having never lost a game to either squad in program history.
And after a bit of conference-opening drama, the story is still no different for the Terps.
The No. 3 Terps defeated No. 8 Boston College, 4-3, in overtime on Friday and Massachusetts, 4-1, on Sunday, running their record to a combined 21-0 against the two programs.
“We’re on the board with a win against a very good team,” coach Missy Meharg said. “Boston College is a very, very good speed team, so physically this was the first time it was a real battle for us. … It was exceedingly exciting and it was a great game.”
Freshman forward Maxine Fluharty gave the Terps (7-1, 1-0 ACC) their biggest victory of the weekend in the team’s ACC opener against the Eagles (6-2, 0-1). The Terps held a 3-2 lead with less than two minutes remaining in the game, but Boston College’s Anna Wetherall scored the tying goal to send the game to overtime.
In the seven-on-seven extra period, Fluharty took a pass from midfielder Jemma Buckley and put the ball in the back of the net for the second time in the game, clinching a Terps victory.
“She was fabulous. She took a whole other level to her game,” Meharg said of Fluharty shortly after the team’s victory against Massachusetts (2-5). “I’m just so pleased. She really stepped to the plate and scored under pressure. Obviously to be in her first overtime and score the game-winner is something she’ll remember and something she’ll work off of.”
“It was a great time and it was set up for me,” Fluharty said, “so it was great to win the game.”
The victory over the Eagles continued the Terps’ dominance over conference opponents, extending their regular-season ACC win streak to 11 games. The Terps haven’t dropped a regular-season contest against a conference opponent since their Oct. 11, 2008, loss to Duke, a streak Meharg said reflects well on the team’s attitude.
“It’s a testament to the mentality and the motivation behind one, what it’s like to play in an ACC school and two, doing all you can to be in a position to win,” Meharg said. “That’s the motivation behind that.”
The Terps will continue their ACC season on Saturday when they host Wake Forest, a team they have not lost to since 2007. With just four conference games remaining on the schedule, Meharg understands how important each victory is to the Terps’ ACC Championship aspirations.
“It’s what we always want to do,” Meharg said. “Every win puts you in a better position to play for the [ACC] Final.”
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