All season, Maryland field hockey has struggled against elite opponents and stingy defenses. Its 0-3 record against top-10 teams — and lack of offensive firepower in those matchups — loomed large entering Friday’s contest against No. 10 Iowa.
But coach Missy Meharg insisted a breakthrough was coming. Her team proved her right, delivering one of its best performances of the season in a 2-1 road win over the Hawkeyes in Iowa City.
Both teams were held scoreless for the first 40 minutes of game until Iowa (7-3, 1-1 Big Ten) broke through on its ninth penalty corner to take the lead. But the sister duo of Josie and Jordyn Hollamon delivered for Maryland again (8-4, 4-1 Big Ten), scoring two goals in five minutes to put the Terps ahead.
“We made shape adjustments in the backfield which opened up the field more and put the ball in the hands of Annemijn [Klijnhout] and Josie [Hollamon] for our ability to go outside and forward.” Meharg said. “The final goal was simple hockey,” Find space, sit on the back post and score a goal.”
It was the first time this season Maryland came back and won after failing to score first.
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Friday was a contrast of styles between the two ranked teams. The Hawkeyes entered the weekend with the second-highest goal per game average in the Big Ten, scoring 33 goals in nine games led by the nation’s leader in goals per game, Dionne van Aalsum.
Iowa’s defense has struggled to stop teams this season, though. In the Hawkeyes’ two losses this season, they gave up an average of 3.5 goals per game.
Meanwhile, the Terps are led by one of the nation’s best defenses, anchored by goalkeeper Alyssa Klebasko. The junior entered Friday allowing just one goal per game and is one of the best goalkeepers in the Big Ten.
The Hawkeyes put immense pressure on the Terps’ goal-stopper, taking 19 shots, the most Maryland’s allowed this season. But Klebasko saved the Maryland defense.
“We had 12 defensive penalty corners, she’s phenomenal,” Meharg said about Klebasko. “She stares down that whole attack … and she’s laser focused on what they’re thinking.”
She recorded eight saves on the day, including multiple attempts at point blank range. Maryland held van Aalsum scoreless for the first time this season despite her eight shot attempts.
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“[We] have Ella Fehr [and] Josie Hollamon around her north, south east and west,” Meharg said. “It was difficult for her to gain momentum and that’s her power. We did a great job of double teaming.”
That slow, defensive pace worked in Maryland’s favor. Much like last year’s Big Ten tournament matchup — which was decided by a shootout — both teams remained scoreless for most of the game.
After Iowa’s late goal, the Hollamon sisters scored late in the third quarter and early in the fourth frame. Late-game goals have been a trend for Maryland this season. Nine of its 22 goals have come in the fourth quarter this season, powering their sixth straight win over the Hawkeyes.
Now the Terps have their signature win and have made it through one of the toughest stretches of their season as they look to finish the regular season strong against three more ranked opponents.
