Sunday’s matchup between No. 10 Maryland field hockey and No. 13 Saint Joseph’s featured two of the nation’s best on defense. Neither team allowed more than two goals in a game entering play.
For 59 minutes and 29 seconds, that was the story of the game. But in the final minute, sophomore Ella Gaitan connected on a shot off a penalty corner that gave Maryland a 1-0 win over last year’s NCAA runner-up at the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex.
With its struggles capitalizing on penalty corners last weekend, the Terps made it a point of emphasis in practice last week, with players getting in extra work all week long.
“We completely outshot and outcornered both those teams [last weekend] and didn’t find ourselves with the outcome,” coach Missy Meharg said. “The key to playing matches like we did this week … is to train like that.”
After losing to both of their ranked opponents last weekend — and with a stretch of five consecutive ranked opponents ahead — Sunday’s result was crucial for the Terps.
The game was tied in the final minute after the Terps had dominated much of the second half. The Terps had one final chance to win in regulation, working into the Hawks’ attacking circle in the final minute.
Djuna Eikelboom’s first shot attempt was saved. But the ball went right to Maci Bradford, whose shot was stopped. Her exclamation for a penalty corner worked, and the Terps set up.
Bradford sent in the entry pass, with Josie Hollamon taking control. She dribbled to the right and slid the ball back to Gaitan in the middle, whose shot passed three Hawks defenders to take the lead.
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“This one was super important, especially the way I scored … off a drag,” Gaitan said. “We’ve been working a lot on our [attacking penalty corners] because we know that’s an area we need to get better.”
The first half was all defense for both sides, but Maryland’s second-half aggressiveness was the difference, outshooting the Hawks 11 to one, with its final shot being the deciding factor.
The goal was scored on former Maryland (4-0) goalie Paige Kieft, who transferred to Saint Joseph’s (3-2) in the offseason after four years with the Terps.
“Paige is a very good goalie,” Meharg said. “She could have played another year [here]. We had Alyssa [Klebasko] here. I have big faith in Klebasko, but I know what Paige can do.”
The first quarter saw fast-paced play from both sides. They worked into opposing attacking circles, but the teams’ defensive identities were evident. The two squads combined for just one shot attempt in the first quarter, with neither team earning a penalty corner.
In the second quarter, Maryland controlled possessions early on. The Terps’ best opportunity came on a pass through the middle of the defense right in front of the goal. Kieft quickly reacted to the broken play for the Hawks, deflecting midfielder Annemijn Klijnhout’s shot to the right.
With a minute to play in the first half, the first penalty corner was issued to the Terps. Saint Joseph’s defense locked it down, however, stopping Maryland’s pass attempt in the attacking circle.
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After a stagnant first half for both sides, Maryland’s offense improved in the third quarter — similar to its previous three games — with five shot attempts.
The Hawks stole an errant pass to open the third, giving them a numerical advantage in the Terps’ territory. They failed to convert, but Saint Joseph’s’ defense recovered just as it wound up for the shot.
Maryland prevented Penn from earning a corner in the second half on Friday. That trend continued on Sunday, as Saint Joseph’s failed to draw a penalty corner until late in the third quarter.
The ball worked around the circle as the Maryland crowd grew tense. Goalie Alyssa Klebasko’s left foot came through for the Terps, stopping the Hawks’ attempt.
Maryland continued to pressure the Hawks’ defense in its attacking circle, with three shot attempts in a penalty counter in the same minute. But corners remained a work in progress for the Terps, as Maci Bradford’s attempt went too high.
The Terps’ defense held strong on a St. Joseph’s attack, leading to a breakaway for sophomore Callie Rogers. But she lost her footing, leaving the Terps’ offense empty-handed once again.
Maryland’s offense was in control the entire fourth quarter, its final-minute goal almost feeling like it was due.
“We had a lot of opportunities,” Gaitan said. “But that last corner, in the last 30 seconds it was like, ‘Okay, this is it. Like, this is the moment.’ I felt good and we all felt good in the circle, ready for the corner.”
