Entering Sunday’s top-five matchup between Maryland field hockey and Duke, defense was the identity of both teams. That held true for much of the contest — the two combined for four shot attempts through three quarters.
But the fourth period was a different story.
The Terps, who didn’t earn a penalty through three quarters, earned five in the first five minutes of the final period. They scored on a Jordyn Hollamon slapshot to tie the score at one.
But penalty corners proved to be the difference. The Blue Devils, who scored on their first corner early in the first period, connected again with five minutes left in the match. No. 4 Maryland fell to No. 5 Duke, 2-1 at Williams Field at Jack Katz Stadium.
“The penalty corners for both teams were exceptional,” coach Missy Meharg said. “Jordyn [Hollamon] had a beautiful one. You keep training them — you have to make sure you have precision in training and you’ll have precision in matches.”
Maryland avoided disaster early after a bad pass nearly gave Duke a one-on-one opportunity, but contact between players forced the ball out of play.
Duke played with urgency from the start, leading to the early corner. The entry pass slid into the middle, but the Blue Devils used deception on a fake pass and shot by last season’s leading-goal scorer Macy Szukics to distract the Terps. Sophomore Julia Boehringer struck to the top right corner for the first score of the game.
The Terps’ offense looked more comfortable in the second quarter, connecting on more passes and creating scoring opportunities.
Maryland’s only first-half shot nearly went through early in the second period. Hollamon received a pass from the midfield and sent it ahead to the right side just a few feet in front of the goal. Two Terps were in the area, with neither able to control the pass, leading to a failed contested attempt by freshman Feliz Kuhne.
Fast-paced play continued into the second half, but both defenses held strong.
The Terps added pressure on Duke, entering the attacking circle multiple times. Maryland put its second shot on goal, but failed to convert.
Maryland’s first corner opportunity came in the fourth quarter. But the Terps — who have endured struggles on corners early in the season — fumbled the entry pass and shot a contested look.
Maryland earned another opportunity a minute later, though. An entry pass came on the short side to Hollamon, who tied the game.
“She likes to swing on the ball,” Meharg said. “She’s laser focused.”
Maryland’s next offensive possession was its best of the game. The Terps earned three penalty corners as Duke’s defense couldn’t stop them cleanly. Junior Maci Bradford notched a save on the out-of-bounds line to give Maryland — and Hollamon — another chance.
But the Blue Devils saved the attempt to keep the game tied. Then, Duke earned its second corner opportunity with five minutes remaining, and Alaina McVeigh connected to score the winner.
With the loss, Maryland dropped to 2-2 for the first time in a fall season since 2017, and failed to earn a win over the weekend. It scored just once in the two-game stretch.
“Losing is never what we’re comfortable with — never” Meharg said.
