Maryland field hockey coach Missy Meharg expressed her desire to play fast this season on Wednesday. That’s exactly how the Terps started in their season opener against Stanford.

The Terps’ defense led the way, stifling Stanford in a 3-1 win at the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex. They allowed just seven shots and five on-goal to win the program’s 23rd consecutive season opener.

“I thought we played very well,” Meharg said. “Took 24 shots, and that’s a great start. I think every year, this opening game sets a tempo … and just super excited with the result.”

Less than 90 seconds into Friday’s game, Maryland’s suffocating defense led to a fast break and, subsequently, the first goal of the season. Sophomore Ella Gaitan scored the match’s opening goal with an assist from freshman Jordyn Hollamon, the first of her college career.

“It hyped us up”, Gatan said. “We had a lot of energy behind that. It really changed our momentum.”

Despite the Terps’ early score, Stanford’s defense held strong for the rest of the first period, allowing only one more shot on goal, which came in the final seconds.

The Cardinals’ momentum carried into the second period, when its offense started to push. They worked the ball into the middle of the Terps’ defense, where freshman Summer Knight-Thompson powered the ball through multiple defenders to tie the score.

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Defense remained strong on both sides, but Maryland continued dominating possession in the second period’s back half while keeping the ball on its side of the field, preventing Stanford’s attack.

Maryland’s attack was most aggressive down the left side at the end of the second period, leading to multiple penalty corner opportunities. The Terps failed to convert on four chances, but they got another opportunity with under 30 seconds in the half — which they didn’t put to waste.

Junior forward Maci Bradford passed in on the penalty corner to sophomore Ella Fehr, who lightly tapped it to Josie Hollamon. Her shot was saved, but Bradford positioned herself perfectly, getting in front of the deflection to put the Terps up 2-1.

In the third period, Maryland’s offense remained the aggressor, earning multiple penalty corners. The Terps’ best opportunity came after a Stanford defensive foul, setting up Hollamon with a penalty stroke shot — which she scored to extend Maryland’s lead to 3-1.

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Stanford’s offense had just one player to beat at the end of the third period, but junior goalkeeper Alyssa Klebasko stuck out her left foot to save it, keeping the Terps’ two-goal lead.

Maryland’s defensive identity from years past bled into the opener, as the Terps’ midfield and backline shut down Stanford’s attacking opportunities in the second half.

The Cardinals could not generate the same attack opportunities and failed to convert the few chances they had.

“I’m really proud of our defense today,” Klebasko said. “We stepped up. [Stanford] is a super fast, gritty team, and we matched that well.”

With both teams playing fast, the Terps achieved another one of coach Meharg’s goals — going deep into their bench to fuel their win.

“I think their chemistry is good because we have depth,” Meharg said. “When you can put 14 or 15 really good players on the field, everybody’s chemistry is great because more people are playing and impacting the outcome.”