No. 4 Maryland field hockey forward Maci Bradford lined up for three penalty corners in just the first four minutes of the game. On the back of the third attempt — Bradford carefully maneuvered around the Wildcat’s defense, sliding the ball to midfielder Ella Fehr. Fehr passed quickly to Ella Gaitan, who was able to score the first points of the game.
The Terps used this momentum to propel them to a Sunday shutout win over Villanova, 4-0.
Maryland’s next score didn’t come until the last two minutes
of that quarter. Freshman Jordyn Hollamon, assisted by Bradford, sent her first career goal into the back of the net. The midfielder completed her collegiate debut game with two goals.
“Jordan’s a brute. It matters to her,” head coach Missy Meharg explained. “She’s the player that you want to get the ball, and you want her to shoot, because she’ll shoot through people.”
The second and third quarters saw much more invasive offensive and defensive action, but no goals. The Terps defense pressed the Wildcats’ offensive core, limiting them to just three shots in the first half — two of which goalkeeper Alyssa Klebasko blocked.
The fourth quarter, however, opened with a bang. Maryland effectively cracked Villanova’s defensive plan, and took the opportunity to make aggressive strides towards the goal. After being awarded yet another penalty corner, Bradford lined up once again. She successfully passed the ball across the circle to Fehr, who slid it to Josie Hollamon for the Terps’ fourth goal of the game.
Bradford, who had already reached a career-high three assists, approached each scoring opportunity with selflessness.
“Our connection with each other is working really well,” Bradford explained, “Not being selfish, passing the ball, just our connection was really good all game.
Meharg chalked up the change in energy to selflessness and entertainment, remarking that the key to successful goalscoring after a drought is to “not get bored.” She explained how the players’ excitement to “get good looks” and maximize on opportunities made that much of a difference during the game.
“Stay entertained and keep people entertained,” Meharg said. “You can shoot all day, but you really [have to] love the process.”
Matching the energy on offense, the Terps defense had no intention of letting up, frazzling the Wildcats and only allowing two shots in the last quarter. With a penalty corner by Villanova late in the game ending up unsuccessful, Maryland secured the shutout and the 4-0 victory.
Hollamon, the younger sister of captain Josie Hollamon, reveled in her impressive debut victory, but already has eyes on the future.
“It’s really cool and exciting, but I think I’m more excited for next weekend,” Hollamon said. “I think I’m just ready to get out there and play.”
The Terps are off to yet another conference match-up. The Big Ten/ACC Challenge takes place on Sept. 5-7. They’ll open the weekend against the No. 8 Boston College Eagles and rematch with No 5. Duke University, who knocked them out of the NCAA tournament last season.
Meharg said the Conference Cup games will serve as valuable lessons for the team’s upcoming contests. They plan to study the games of this tournament, as well as play the matches of the Big Ten/ACC challenge “in tandem.”
Three things to know
1. Two long-time head coaches meet again. Maryland’s first meeting against Villanova was 18 years ago in 2007. Both teams were led by their current coaches, Meharg and Villanova’s Joanie Milhous. The Terps won that matchup, 5-1.
2. Meharg maintains her hot start streak. Meharg and the Terps have extended an impressive streak of 12 seasons in a row with wins in their first two games .
3. Rankings are back. The Big Ten/ACC Challenge will be Maryland’s first competition against ranked opponents. Boston College sits at No. 8 in the NFHCA top-25 poll, while Duke is one spot behind the Terps at No. 5.
