The basic offensive stats tell a cloudy picture for Maryland field hockey this season. The Terps are last in the Big Ten in shot percentage, seventh in goals and second-worst in shots on goal percentage.
But one aspect No. 10 Maryland has excelled at is late game scoring. The Terps have scored 15 of their 22 goals in the second half, with nine of them coming in the fourth quarter.
Coach Missy Meharg said earlier this season that 99 percent of a game’s outcome is determined by goalkeeping and a team’s defensive ability. Her team has embodied that statement. Even with one of the nation’s toughest schedules, the Terps have allowed just one goal per game this year.
But the Terps’ offense hasn’t had the same success. Maryland is the only top-10 team not within the top-50 in goals scored per game this season — scoring less than two per game — and behind several teams they have beaten such as No. 11 Iowa, No. 14 Michigan and Saint Joseph’s.
[Maryland field hockey secures first top-10 win, beats No. 10 Iowa 2-1]
The Terps have made up for their offensive inconsistency by delivering in clutch moments. Four of the fourth quarter goals either tied the game or gave them the lead, including a game-winner with under a minute to play against Saint Joseph’s, and a late penalty corner score against Iowa on Friday to take the lead in Maryland’s most crucial win of the season.
“A big emphasis of this weekend was the importance of that win,” senior defender Ericka Morris-Adams said. “Our mindset was, we have to win this game, and we will find a way to win this game.”
While fourth quarters have been a bright spot, the other second-half frame hasn’t been as kind to the Terps. Meharg said third quarters have been a weak point for the Terps this season.
“Usually Maryland teams come out in the third quarter … whether we’re winning [or] losing. We love third quarters, and we had been struggling a little bit,” Meharg said.
[Maryland field hockey’s family ties foster a close team bond]
Maryland has surrendered a third quarter goal in three of its four defeats. Meharg stressed that the third quarter was the reason for its loss against No. 6 Princeton. The Terps fell behind by two and their fourth quarter goal wasn’t enough to climb back from the deficit.
Despite offensive inconsistencies and third quarter lapses, Maryland still finds itself as a top-10 team. The Terps have proven they are resilient, and their ability to make crucial plays late in games could play a large role during postseason play.
Now, the Terps have several opportunities to fine-tune their attack as the regular season winds down — and carry late game momentum into the postseason
It won’t be an easy end to the regular season, though. The final stretch begins this weekend as Maryland returns to face two of the best offenses in the country in Indiana and No. 1 Northwestern, followed by road matchups against No. 15 Rutgers and No. 3 Virginia.
