Last Post for 2009

To listen to a replay of the Terps National Championship game please click here forthe first half and here for the second half. Also you can save the file as well as an mp3 and listen to it and all the other games from this season on your ipod.

Thanks for a great Season Terp Fans and it was a pleasure to chronicle this special team through an extrordinary year.

-Brian Kapur

Feel free to contact me at bkapurdbk@gmail.com with any feedback, comments or concerns. I will be part of the women's basketball broadcast team this winter before taking over women's lacrosse in the spring.

Failing With Chopsticks - Winston Salem Wacky

By: Andy Gripshover

It's 11:39 PM on Christmas Eve as I type this. In just over 12 hours, it's national championship time. I'm a total ball of nerves right now. So how do we unwind? Relive all the wild and crazy stuff Brian and I got ourselves in to on this trip!

-We left College Park on Wednesday afternoon at about 3:45. We rolled in to our Marriott hotel here in Winston Salem at about 11:45. That's EIGHT HOURS, folks. Boy, did it drag. To be fair, part of it was spent eating dinner at Uno (excellent pizza, fantastic chocolate cake which the picture tells you I enjoyed, absolutely epic and unprintable dinnertime conversation) but a big shout out goes to my friends Mike and Olaolu for texting with me for much of the trip. Unfortunately I won't have that luxury on the trip home but I'll hopefully have a national championship game story to work on. And some celebrating to do. Hopefully.

-Thursday lunch was at Dill Pickle, a very nice little lunch place where I got a fried chicken sandwich, some chips, and an epic cookies and cream slice of cake. It didn't fill me up enough however and I had a massive headache almost all day which prevented too much happy fun times. It was cured by night though and I got to see FlashForward as it aired, which is rare for me because I usually have a Thursday night class. Show was awesome, as usual. Unfortunately, I missed an absolutely epic banquet for the Final Four teams because there was only one ticket and Brian got up earlier than me to claim it (there had better be video of Emma Thomas from this particular evening.) Ah well. I dragged him to Mellow Mushroom though, where I threw down an 11 inch meatlovers pizza. Yes, I ate pizza for dinner two nights in a row. Nice healthy diet I have going on.

-Friday was game day. Silly me nearly made us late and got us mock applause from Missy and Marybeth for being the last ones on the bus. Gotta step my game up tomorrow. You know about the game by now (hopefully) so I won't go in to that. Instead we need to discuss Friday's lunch before the game, which inspired the title.

-Prior to this trip, I only knew "Pho" from Moses Malone's "fo, fo, fo" Sixers in the early 80's. Not anymore. "Pho" is the Vietnamese soup place where I learned to use chopsticks after, well, failing miserably. A little backstory: I am from Carroll County, which is about 40 minutes west of Baltimore and basically lily white. "Pho", to be quite frank, was culture shock. I went in scoffing at $10 for soup...and then I saw the size of the bowl of soup that we got. Holy goodness. It was solid and I can only imagine how epic it would've been if I were sick. And then of course there was the chopsticks. I first used them by holding one in each hand and like converging them together to literally "pick up" the noodles which...did not go well. Then I just followed Brian's lead, which worked a little better. It took me a while to pick up though and I think that in part almost made us late as you read above. I was just on fire on Friday as you can tell.

-Friday dinner was basically Chik-Fil-A that we copped from the media room when we came back with the team for the second half of UVA/UNC. Dressed in jeans and a long sleeve fleece blue shirt with a media pass around my neck, I threw down Chik-Fil-A, a bag of Fritos, a soda, and like four Rice Krispy Treats (not counting the two I had before the press conference after the Maryland game.) Basically, I was the walking stereotype of the lazy sports journalist. That combined with the "Fo" paux from earlier and nearly making us late...my family must be so proud. They'll also be proud of the following.

-Friday night was spent exploring around downtown Winston Salem (no, not an oxymoron, to the disbelief of both Brian and I.) The highlight: we found a place with a pink neon sign that read "GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS" with an arrow. It was called "Harper's Cabaret" and it was like two blocks down from our hotel. Also, it was sandwiched between two dark alleys. We weren't trying to die. We exited stage left very quickly. We ended up getting some snacks from a place called "Kernal and Kustard." I got a hot fudge sundae with caramel and rainbow sprinkles to keep up my ungodly diet, Brian got a North Carolina hot dog that had chili, cheese, hot sauce, coleslaw, relish, and mustard on it.

-Oh and we also discovered that the local CVS closes at 6 PM every night. Winston Salem night life, everybody!

-Went to practice this morning and met the CBS College Sports (which I call CBSCSTV since it used to be CSTV and "CBS College Sports" takes too long to say) broadcasters, who were very nice and very in awe of the Terps. With good reason. Can't tell you too much of what we saw at practice; that's what our broadcast tomorrow is for :) After practice, we came back here and got some lunch at a place called Namo (I guess you could say...*puts on sunglasses a la Caurso from CSI: Miami*...we were finding Namo. YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.) I got an absolutely unreal fried chicken sandwich that was so big that, combined with my fries, basically put me out of commission for the afternoon. BK's pizza also knocked him out as he took a nap for most of the afternoon. Too bad for him, he missed Charlie Weis almost surely losing his job as UConn beat Notre Dame in double overtime. We both saw that crazy LSU/Ole Miss finish though where the Tigers couldn't get the final play off after converting the 4th and 26. Ahh, college football is awesome. Then we prepped, talked with Missy, and went out to dinner (Mellow Mushroom again; I got a chicken parm hoagie, BK got a take home pizza.) Got home in time for the epic Oregon/Arizona finish (again, college football = good) and now I'm writing this.

-And to wrap up: Just now, BK notices that Katie O'Donnell is the "Terp of the Week" on our website (www.wmucsports.com) Without missing a beat, I respond with "shouldn't she be like the Terp of Our Lives?" Kind of sums up the weekend. Hopefully. Go Terps! Bring the 'ship home tomorrow. Take care, everyone.

Terps Beat Princeton in Winston-Salem Shootout 7-5, Advance to Title Game

Missed the game? Listen to a replay of the first half here and listen to the second half here. Listen to HIGHLIGHTS here

By Brian Kapur

“We are up for the challenge,” that’s the Terps have expressed all season and on Friday, Princeton provided a challenge, and the Terps rose to the occasion and won 7-5 to advance to the national championship game.

Princeton scored the first goal of the game, but the Terps answered back with three unanswered goals. The Terps surged ahead of the Tigers 3-1 in the first half on the strength of two Emma Thomas drag shots and a goal by Katie O’Donnell, going into the locker room with a two goal lead.

After halftime, goal keeper Alicia Grater took on two Tigers and made two saves with no defensive help. The Terps took the ball immediately down the field and Nicole Muracco fed O’Donnell the ball and the ACC Offensive Player of the Year did the rest by scoring the goal to blow the game open 4-1.

“The transition today was really what put us above them. From playing defense to automatic attack,” O’Donnell said.

But the Tigers would not back down. Princeton scored three goals to tie the game at four with about 17 minutes to go in the game.

“We settled a bit and they were not going to be embarrassed, there was no way that team was going to get blown out,” coach Missy Meharg said. “They have a vengeance mentally, they are strong players. I am not surprised that it happened. I would have liked to control it a little bit more.”

“When it was a tied score and the pressure was really on to perform again and finish, we have players that like that challenge,” Meharg said.

The Terps answered the challenge as freshman Megan Frazer scored the go-ahead goal with a rocket shot. Then O’Donnell put a perfect pass on Ameliet Rischen’s stick. Rischen did the rest as she put the Terps up two goals.

O’Donnell put the final touches on the Terps win with a knockout punch goal, and her NCAA tournament signal game record ninth point, to secure a date with North Carolina for the national championship.

“It’s my teammates...It’s not about me or my points. It’s about my (teammates) finishing them," O'Donnell said. "I can only do what I can do. I can put the ball in the net as much as I like to. But the assists don’t just come, it’s your teammates putting the ball in the net for you. Its great to have nine points, but I am just a single player on an entire field of a huge group of girls.”

The Terps will play the Tar Heels on Sunday at noon looking to repeat as national champions.

“For me this year is more important," O'Donnell said. "You have been through the process, you know what its like to win a national championship and you drive to win another one. Its definety not taken for granted. Nothing is taken for granted.

Terps set to take on Princeton in final four

by Brian Kapur

The Terps will take on Princeton, the first team to survive 70 minutes of field hockey with the Terps and push them into overtime.

Meanwhile ACC rivals UNC and UVA will battle to face the winner in Sunday's national championship game.

Terps Route Drexel Enroute to Winston-Salem, Final Four

By Brian Kapur

In the second round of the NCAA Tournament, the Terps sent a message to the field hockey world with a 5-0 drubbing of Drexel.

From goalkeeper Alicia Grater at one end of the field to the Terps' all-time leading scorer Nicole Muracco on the other end of the field, the Terps were firing on all cylinders as they shut out the Dragons.

Muracco got the scoring started by challenging the Dragons' goalkeeper and getting the ball through after battling with her. Muracco struck again moments later on an assist from Ameliet Rischen to give the Terps a 2-0 lead at half.

Katie O'Donnell, Janessa Pope and Megan Frazer each had a goal in the second half to balloon the score to 5-0.

Alicia Morowski did not play due to an injury sustained against American.

Drexel made 16 saves on 33 Maryland shots. Meanwhile the Dragons could only take three shots, all of which happened in the second half and one was saved by Grater.

Terps to play Drexel

Drexel upset UConn to advance to Sunday's game against the Terps. Game time is 2pm. Listen live on WMUCSports.com

Terps advance, race past American 6-1

By Brian Kapur

All week long the Terps had great practice sessions, coach Missy Meharg and the players talked about taking their game to another level for the post season.

Against the American Eagles on Saturday, the Terps did just that as they lit up the stingy Eagle defense and won 6-1 enroute to the second round of the NCAA tournament.

"We are so pleased to be moving on in the tournament," Meharg said.

The Terps scored on three of five penalty corner attempts, showing new looks, while also executing on their go-to-play, the Emma Thomas drag shot.

"Our execution with our penalty corners was right on," Meharg said.

Meghan Frazer started the scoring just under eight minutes in on a penalty corner strike to give the Terps a 1-0 lead. Moments later, Thomas nailed a drag shot to put the Terps up 2-0.

The Terps offensive barrage continued as Katie O'Donnell scored the Terps' third goal just under 24 minutes into the game.

As the first half came to a close, the Eagles took their first shot on a penalty corner and scored to cut into the Terps lead 3-1.

But they would never come any closer.

"At halftime we got recomposed and we came out and stepped it up." Bri Davies said.

Nicole Muracco scored a goal off an assist from O'Donnell. Then later in the final stanza, O'Donnell put the finishing touches on the Terps dominating performance by using fantastic stick work to fake the American goal keeper out, making her dive the wrong way, and scoring the final goal to give the Terps a 6-1 win.

Muracco and O'Donnell tied the ACC and Maryland single season goal scored and assist records respectivly.

Field Hockey Bracketology

by Brian Kapur

The Terps are riding a wave of momentum after a comeback for the ages in the ACC Championship game. The momentum continued during the NCAA selection show when the Terps potential road to back-to-back NCAA championships was paved.

-A road paved perfectly for the Terps
>The Terps will be playing the first two rounds at home, a perk which may have been in doubt.
>The Terps are the top overall seed
>UVA, UNC, and Wake Forest are on the opposite side of the bracket. Great news meaning the Terps will only have to face one of them on the road to the championship. And that would be in the title game itself.
> The Terps would only face one of two tough teams on their side of the bracket Princeton and Syracuse. They still have UConn to deal with and the always tough American.

There is little to dislike about the way this bracket shaped up for the Terps.

TWICE AS NICE: Terps rally to win ACC title in OT

By Brian Kapur

With 15 minutes to go in the ACC championship game the University of Virginia Cavaliers led 2-0, dominating play, had momentum in their favor and were in the driver seat to upset the Terps.

The Terps needed a play, a goal, a shot of energy- anything.

Enter ACC tournament MVP Katie O'Donnell

O'Donnell took the game into her hands- much like Michael Jordan did for the Chicago Bulls when they were winning NBA championships in the 1990s- and made the play that would turn the momentum and game in the Terps favor.

O'Donnell took the ball inside Virginia's 25 yard line and drove towards the right post. Then the eventual MVP wound up and cranked the ball into the goal from a low percentage angle to cut the UVA lead to 2-1 and bring the Terps new life.

“We’re the biggest group of fighters you might ever see,” O’Donnell said. “We’re not ranked No. 1 because we won last year. We’re No. 1 because we’ll put everything we have on the field, and we’re going to do everything we absolutely have to do to come out with a win.”

Under two minutes later, the Terps all-time leading goal scorer Nicole Muracco tied the game at two off a pass from Alexis Pappas.

At the end of regulation, with under a minute to play, both teams had a penalty corner chance. The Terps were unable to capitalize with 40 seconds to go. The Cavaliers had a penalty corner opporunity with no time left on the clock. The Terps needed one more defensive stand to send the game to overtime.

The Terps defense rose to the occasion. Senior goal keeper Alicia Grater made a fantastic save to send the game to overtime.

“I don’t think I’ve ever felt the energy just from five girls coming out of the cage,” back Emma Thomas said. “Nothing was going in the net that time.”

The Terps needed less than two minutes to get a penalty corner opportunity. With a chance to end the game, Emma Thomas took a shot, and Meghan Frazer hit a defelection in to give the Terps back-to-back ACC championships.

Terps outlast Wake Forest 3-2, advance to ACC title game

Missed the game? Listen to a replay here

By Brian Kapur

The Terps, usually a strong second half team, used a strong first half where they built a 2-0 lead and an early second half goal to stave off Wake Forest 3-2 as time expired.

ACC offensive player of the year Katie O'Donnell made a steal on defense just outside of the 25 yard line and fed the ball to All ACC team member Nicole Muracco who scored the first goal of the game with about 17 minutes elapsed.

About 10 minutes later the Terps drew a penalty corner and Emma Thomas scored on a drag shot to give the Terps a 2-0 advantage. Wake Forest would get a penalty corner and appeared to have an open shot but senior back Alicia Morawski made the play of the day by saving an open shot, which would come into play later in the game.

The Terps took their 2-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Midway through the second half Ameilet Rischen scored the Terps final goal of the game on a fastbreak opportunity with an assist by Bri Davies. It would be the final goal of the game for the Terps, giving them what would become a precarious, but insurmountable lead.

The Terps saw their 3-0 lead slowly slip away as the Demon Deacons made a great play to score and cut into the lead at 3-1. Wake Forest then used three penalty corners and struck on the last one with under four minutes to play to make it a one goal game.

The Terps sat on the ball but then with five seconds to go, the Demon Deacons drew a foul just outside the 25 yard line. The ball surprisingly made it through the half circle on a pass and found Casella on the left post who took a shot but hooked it wide as Alicia Grater closed in to seal off the Terps win.

Maryland will play Virginia for the ACC Championship on Sunday after the Cavaliers upset No.2 North Carolina later in the evening to advance.

Charlottesville Craziness

By: Andy Gripshover

Greetings once again, it's me, Andy, coming to you LIVE from the Hilton Garden Inn here in Hooville. We've been here two nights and we'll be here two more in all likelyhood but here's what we've been through so far:

-Bus ride down was uneventful. Oh yeah, except for the part where we had one of the greatest dinners in the history of humankind. We stopped at a place called Cracker Barrel, a half-gift shop, half-restaurant conglomeration. In the restaurant part, BK had roast beef, green beans, carrots, and corn. I had chicken and dumplings, mashed potatoes, green beans, and apple sauce and tore through it like McNabb picking apart the Dallas secondary this Sunday night (for you, BK :D) Holy crap the South knows how to do food.

We ate with Coach Meharg but were unable to get super secret game plans out of her for the weekend's games. Instead she regaled us with tales of being a coach on campus at Maryland during the aftermath of the Len Bias tragedy (the topic came up as we discussed "Without Bias", the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary which I shamefully haven't seen yet), which was very cool.

-Watched some baseball last night. Some New York team won some championship. I'd tell you more but there hasn't been too much coverage of it today.

We wanted to watch a rerun of "Without Bias" afterward but (in all seriousness now) ESPN2 stopped showing it to show YankeeCenter since the basketball game on ESPN ran long. Whatever. I fell asleep.

-Switched rooms because our original room only had one king size bed. As BK went downstairs though, he was apparently on an elevator with like half the Boston College field hockey team (who's also staying here...at least they were until they lost today) while wearing his Maryland sweatshirt. Apparently he got some dirty looks which: I'm not glad I wasn't there for that. Awkkkkkkkkward!!!

-In the trip's biggest upset, we were entertained by "Freaky Friday." Not a bad movie; very fun and not a bad life lesson at the end of it all. And it was back before Lindsay Lohan was ruined. Unfortunately, after it was over, we couldn't watch Wake/BC on ACC Select and we no longer had the beautiful lake view that the odd numbered rooms got to admire (we switched from 217 to 420) so we decided to...

-...go to Giant! I got five, yes FIVE Stouffer's frozen dinners for $10 ($2 a meal? Yes please!), a couple bags of pretzels (Utz vs. Snyder's? We'll find out the superior brand soon enough), some Christmas Oreos (red frosting, they're solid), and Dr Pepper (a.k.a. the best soda ever.) Then we went to Blockbuster, one of the three across the country that aren't closing, and bought cheap DVD's. Brian got four romantic comedies (no comment) and I got "Alpha Dog" (wanted to see it for a while, heard good things, lots of hot ladies, JT's the man, etc.) and "How To Lose Friends And Alienate People" (hey, I have a Megan Fox thing; plus the title's great.) I still haven't watched "Cry_Wolf" from the previous trip thanks to being uber busy. I'll get to it...

-Brian's lunch today was "Sticks", which he described as "Chipotle for Indian people." Needless to say, he enjoyed it. I got a roast beef sandwich from Blimpie, which reminded me of Wawa and made me miss it. God, why did you only let Wawa in to my life for the first month of my freshman year?

-Dinner was at the Topeka Steakhouse and Saloon which might not have topped the previous night's dinner but boy did it make a bid. Props to Heather, our waitress, who was very nice and quite attractive as well with a fantastic smile. God, I love the South. I got a New York Strip, baked potato, and applesauce. BK got a Prime Rib and the largest sweet potato in the history of the Milky Way. That's not even hyperbole, this thing was GIGANTIC. He really should've taken a picture of it but we're not forward-thinking like that, unfortunately. Pricing was very fair as well; we only dropped about $25 each which: considering the amount of food we had was a bargain.

Well that's it for me. I'm about to pass out as it's 12:20, it's been a long day, and I consumed an unhealthy amount of food tonight. Wake tomorrow at 4. BK will be back with a wrapup after it's all done, win or lose. Should be good times. Until then, take care everyone.

Terps to face Wake Forest in ACC tourney second round, UVA advances

by Brian Kapur

It's always Wake Forest. Earlier this year coach Missy Meharg joked that there would be nothing to play for without Wake Forest, so here we go again.

The Demon Deacons defeated Boston College to advance to the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Virginia defeated Duke to advance into a contest with North Carolina.

The Terps game against Wake Forest will be broadcast on WMUCSports.com starting at 3:45pm .

Terps complete first undefeated regular season, honor seniors

by Brian Kapur

Missed the game? Listen to a replay here

The Terps celebrated senior day in style by blowing away 6-2.

Early in the game, the Terps and Cardinal made adjustments and got used to each other in a rare cross-country field hockey match up. The Terps struck early off a penalty corner with Emma Thomas hitting a drag shot. But the Cardinals answered right back with a goal of their own.

But this was to be the Terps' night and their penalty corner attack was nearly unstoppable as the Terps converted four of 12. Thomas added in a penalty stroke, while fellow senior Nicole Muracco added in two goals while Katie O'Donnell tossed in a pair as well. Freshman Meghan Frazer finished the Terps offensive barrage with a goal in late in the game to give the Terps their final 6-2 margin, despite Stanford making 12 saves.

Terps' keeper Alicia Grater finished with four saves.

The Terps head to the ACC tournament looking to repeat, first game is Friday at 4pm.

Terps dominate UNC, capture ACC regular season crown

Missed the game? Listen to a live replay here

by Brian Kapur

"We are a team of fighters."

That has been senior forward Nicole Muracco's sentiment throughout the season. And in the Terps' biggest regular season game of the season, the Terps proved her right.

The undefeated No.1 Terps thumped the No.2 North Carolina Tarheels 4-1, in a downpour.

"We definitely came ready to play today," senior goal keeper Alicia Grater said. "It was just 70 minutes of hockey where we just kept progressing. Overall we were really pleased."

The Terps win extended their longest winning streak to open a season at 17-0, and clinched the top seed in the ACC tournament with their most complete game of the season- excelling in every phase of the game from defense to the midfield to the offense.

But it would not start off easy.

The Tarheels rode senior day energy and momentum in the early portion of the game. The Tarheels led in shots 8-2 at one point in the half.

The Terps defense held down the fort while the Terps offense settled down. Senior goal keeper Alicia Grater had a career day with 12 saves.

And with the Terps keeper stonewalling the Tarheels until the final moments of the game, the Tarheels energy began to sag, while the Terps settled in to a groove began to dominate.

"We were saying we hope that wasn’t our senior day," Grater said. "We were expecting a little more excitement from their team and their fans. When we realized they were calm there was no reason for us to be startled. They had a pretty strong start to the game."

"Once we settled down and got into a rhythm, everything went our way," Grater added.
North Carolina had three penalty corners early on, but failed to capitalize. Then the Terps forced a penalty corner of their own and senior Emma Thomas scored the first points of the game to give the Terps a 1-0 edge.

Moments later, a Tarheel was rough with one of the Terps freshmen, Meghan Frazer and dove at her legs, tackling the freshman and drawing a yellow card.

The Terps showed their fighting spirit and instead of being intimidated, the rough play lit a fire under the Terps.

"We all have each other's back," Grater said. "Seeing our teammate getting taken out of the game makes you want to play better. Not by being more physical, but take them out with skill."

Later in the first half, Katie O'Donnell intercepted a Tarheel pass at UNC's 25-yard line. The Terps point leader then dished the ball off to the Terps all-time leading scorer, Nicole Muracco, who gave the Terps a 2-0 edge going into halftime.

In the second half, the Terps kept the momentum and controlled the ball well, keeping it out of UNC's sticks. Muracco scored her second goal of the game without even looking at the goal. She backed down a defender and fired a shot in without even turning her head to see the cage.

The Tarheels tried to get back into the game and ratcheted up their physical play. O'Donnell momentarily left the game after a ball was hit into her leg. She came back moments later and answered with her skill. O'Donnell took the ball from the 25-yard line and avoided three defenders plus the goal keeper, and fired the ball into the goal to give the Terps a 4-0 lead.

"That’s OD (O'Donnell), get knocked down and get back up strong," Grater said.

The Terps complete team win featured an offensive barrage and the Terps defense outshined UNC's No.1 ranked defense.

Terps hockey in the Washington Post

This was in print and online. Here is the link to the story the Washington Post did on the Terps Field Hockey team http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/22/AR2009102202438.html

Terps shut out Delaware, 4-0

by Brian Kapur

The No.17 Delaware Blue Hens sold out on defense, packing the half circle and using stingy help defense to hold the Terps offense in check.

But the No.1 Terps patience evenutally broke the Blue Hens' will to keep their perfect season alive. The Terps forced several penalty corners and scored on two. The Terps used their potent penalty corner attack to breakdown Delaware's defense.

Freshman Meghan Frazer started the scoring when she struck first off a penalty corner chance to give the Terps a 1-0 advantage.

But Delaware's half circle defense remained relentless, so the Terps turned their own defense into offense. The Terps used fastbreaks, quick starts and turnovers to tack on goals. Katie O'Donnell made a steal near the Blue Hens' 25-yard line and then passed it to Nicole Muracco who tacked on the goal to give the Terps a 2-0 advantage to close out the first half.

In the second half, Emma Thomas scored off a penalty corner to give the Terps a 3-0 advantage. Nearly five minutes later, the Terps put the game out of reach when Muracco blasted in the final goal of the game to give the Terps a 4-0 advantage.

Goal keeper Alicia Grater had just one save, but the Terps defensive backfield, and Delaware selling out on defense, which left few forwards in scoring position, kept the Blue Hens to just five shots.

Terps beat UNC

Missed the game? listen to a replay here www.wmuc.umd.edu/~sports/102409FHUNC.mp3

I will be updating this blog tomrrow, so be sure to check it out

Terps Keep On Rolling, Overwhelm ODU 6-3

Missed the game? listen to a replay here
by Brian Kapur

The Terps showcased their wide array of weapons as their explosive offense blew past the No.20 Old Dominion Monarchs, 6-3, on a cold rainy day.

Midway through the first half, Katie O'Donnell started the scoring banaza with a fast break goal off an assist from Nicole Muracco. Four minutes later, Muracco did the scoring honors off a fast break to put the Terps up 2-0. The senior would add in one more goal to give her 20 on the season and the Terps a comanding 3-0 halftime lead.

After intermission, the conditions continued to be cold and wet, but for Emma Thomas it was "being home." The England native, along with freshman England native Harriet Tibble combined for three goals to secure the 6-3 win.

Alicia Grater had four saves on the afternoon.

The Terps will head to Delaware on Sunday in their last game before their monster ACC showdown with UNC.

Terps Clinch Bye, Blank Duke 3-0

Missed the game? Listen to a replay here


by Brian Kapur

After a tough week against No.3 Virginia and No. 5 Princeton, the No.1 Terps headed to Durham to face the struggling No. 11 Duke Blue Devils.

But the Terps stifiled Duke offense, allowing just five shots and shutting out the nation's leading scorer in the process. The Terps fifth shut out of the season, winning 3-0, also gave the Terps a bye in the first round of the ACC tournament and guarenteed the Terps at least the No.2 seed in the ACC. A showdown with No.2 North Carolina on Oct.24 will determine the top seed.

"Thats always nice to have an opportunity from a physical stand point to not have to play a back to back game, but if we had to we would," coach Missy Meharg said. "It gives us an opportunity to size up the opponent when we get into when we get into the ACC tournament."

The Terps struggled to find a groove in their penalty corner offense and failed to capitalize on 10 attempts.

"The obvious situation is that we are being scouted well," Meharg said. "We do have a whole 'nother set of corners that we will execute."

Duke kept the Terps off the board until the final minute of the first half when freshman Meghan Frazer banged in her first of two goals. The Terps offense kept up the pressure in the second half when Frazer blasted in a second goal.

Junior Katie O'Donnell put the finishing touches on the game. The Duke goalkeeper saved the ball and O'Donnell scooped up the rebound and tapped in the final goal of the afternoon.

Senior goal keeper Alicia Grater finished with two saves, on five shot attempts. The Terps defensive backfield suffocated the Blue Devils and did not allow many scoring opportunities.

The Terps will be in action on Friday when they host Old Dominion at 4pm. The game will be broadcast live on wmucsports.com.

Durham Delight

By: Andy Gripshover

In the words of Brent Musberger, YOU ARE LOOKING LIVE at the lobby of the Courtyard by Marriott in Durham, North Carolina. I'm actually on the official lobby desk computer, which makes me awesome (well more awesome than I usually am.) I'm getting ready to broadcast field hockey, # 1 Maryland @ # 11 Duke, at 1 PM this afternoon. As always, you can listen live at wmucsports.com. My broadcast partner Brian Kapur has already covered most of the key points of today's game (read: all I've got to say is that as long as Maryland shuts down Survilla, which they should with all the great players at the back they have, they'll probably roll) so I'm going to focus more on the wild and wacky adventures we've had so far in Durham.

-We made epic time on the trip down. Left at a little after 9, rolled in just before 2 and that included a stop for food at a rest stop where everyone thought a Wawa was prominently involved but instead it was Subway and Dunkin Donuts and that led to massive disappointment. At least from BK and I. Not that Subway and Dunkin Donuts are bad food, quite the opposite actually, but we haven't had Wawa in our lives since the one in College Park tragically closed down a month or two in to my first semester in the fall of 2007.

Not much to discuss about the ride down. It was a school day so the players were studying for most of it. BK and I shot the breeze, slept, and got some reading done (not all at once.) He played around on his Blackberry a lot and I turned green with envy. I need a Blackberry. Someone donate me $600 so I can get one. Seriously I DO need a new phone since my current but who knows when I'll actually get one. Hit me up with that $600 donation and we can speed up the process.

-Last time I was in the Triangle was two years ago for Maryland/UNC women's lacrosse. It was then I first experienced the joy that was Sonic. This time around, I have finally experienced the joy that is BOJANGLES. If you've never heard of Bojangles, it's basically a very southern fried chicken fast food place. You might be thinking Popeyes and you wouldn't be totally off but Popeyes is more cajun New Orleans style and this is more southeastern ACC country. The chicken though tastes almost exactly the same; it's the fries and biscuits that differ and I hate to say that Popeyes has 'em in both departments but that's not entirely fair; there might not be a better food on Earth than Popeyes biscuits. Anyway Bojangles is still very good and if you're a sweet tea fan, you must have their "world famous" iced tea. It won't let you down. If you want to feel like you're in the South, the atmosphere at the place and the food you taste will definitely quench your needs in that regard as well.

-In the very same shopping center as that Bojangles, we entered a Big Lots that made us feel like we were in a parallel universe. BK described the place as "Wal Mart meets Marshall's." My description was much less flattering and cannot be printed, but this certainly was an interesting place to explore. Before yesterday, I can safely say that I had never seen a toy Black and Decker tool set but now I can. Before yesterday, I couldn't say that I got a two liter bottle of Pepsi for $1.15 but now I can. And before yesterday, I couldn't say that I had ever encountered a desk that had a electric guitar clock on top of it but hey, we're in the South, you gotta expect (or at least not be shocked by) that kind of stuff.

One disappointing aspect: we passed by slippers and saw Duke, N.C. State, Wake Forest, even East Carolina and Charlotte slippers...but no UNC. Being in Durham, I hoped that this was an anti-UNC store that refused to carry UNC products even though Chapel Hill is literally right down the road. I guess it furthered strengthened the Duke/UNC rivalry in my eyes. Unfortunately we later saw some UNC glasses and plates which broke my heart and I've still yet to fully recover.

-There aren't many perks of being a journalist over an athlete. One of them is being able to order a Baconator with large fries and a large chocolate frostee the night before a game, walk past the team in the lobby with it, hear one of them remark "well that's not fair", and then head up to your room to eat it and watch the epic ending to Twins/Yankees. Life is good.

Well, it's 11:15 and it's time to board the bus. Once we get back on our feet in College Park, expect a wrapup post reviewing the game and the trip as a whole. Until then, take care and remember to listen to Brian and I today at 1 on www.wmucsports.com. Your Terps, Your Station.

Tale of the tape:Terps vs Duke

by Brian Kapur

-Key Story Line
The Terps can clinch a bye in the first round of the ACC tournament and secure at least the No.2 seed. (Their showdown with North Carolina will likely determine the top seed).

-Terps offense set to explode?
The Terps will face one of the worst defenses in the nation later this afternoon. The Blue Devils goals allowed average is No.44, allowing 2.3 goals per game. The Terps just went through a gauntlet of tough defenses, UVA, American, and Princeton, so this could be a six or more goal game.

-Common Opponents
The Blue Devils and Terps have faced three common opponents this season- Wake Forest, Old Dominion and Boston College. Duke has lost to all three while the Terps have won each by at least two goals.

-Key Matchup: Nicole Muracco vs Amie Survilla
They are tied to lead the nation with 18 goals. Something has got to give here. If the Terps can shutdown Survilla it could be a romp. If the Blue Devils manage to shut down Muracco, the Terps have a bevvy of weapons they could use to exploit Duke's defense.

Terps Outlast Princeton in OT 3-2

by Brian Kapur

Who can go the distance?

Thats the question this season continues to ask of the No.1 Terps opponents. No. 5 Princeton went a full 70 minutes with the Terps, the problem was overtime.

"Overtime is our time," senior back Emma Thomas said.

Thomas was right. The Terps used their speed and a little luck to vanquish the Tigers in overtime 3-2. Thomas made a key diving defensive stop what appeared to be an easy goal in overtime. Nicole Muracco finished off Princeton by breaking past a defender and the goalkeeper to knock in the last goal.



Princeton was the the third straight game the Terps faced a stifling defense, but it did not matter. Megan Frazer scored the Terps first goal to tie the game at 1-1, then the Tigers added another to take the lead into the locker room. The Terps trailed 2-1 at half, but again it did not phase the Terps.

The Terps mystique and poise was just too much, again.

Katie O'Donnell avoided a slide tackle by Princeton's goalkeeper and fired in a goal while laying flat on her stomach. The goal slammed into the backboard and the game was tied up. Great players make great plays and make teams elite, and thats just what O'Donnell did once again.



In overtime, Muracco added in the game winner in similar fashion by avoiding a slide tackle by the goal keeper.

Senior goalkeeper Alicia Grater finished with seven key saves.

So the question remains, who can go the distance? Because overtime is the Terps' time as well as the 70 minutes that precede it.

Can anyone go the distance with the Terps?

By Brian Kapur

Every Terps game I watch, the more and more they remind me of Rocky. This team always goes the distance and plays a full 70 minutes. Like Rocky the Terps always take their opponents best shot, but its never enough because the Terps just keep coming...I will have a feature on that up on this blog in the near future. But for now, in preparation for tonight's showdown with No.5 Princeton, I will leave you with this video...

UVA Can't Go the Distance, Terps Win 3-1

Missed the game? listen to a replay here

by Brian Kapur


The true character and moxie of a team is not revealed in blowouts or dominating performances; but rather in the face of adversity.

If that's the case, the Terrapin field hockey team proved their grit by outlasting No. 3 Virginia 3-1.

" Its a huge win. It was a game full of energy, excitement and passion from both teams," Nicole Muracco said. "It was a hard fought battle."

The Terps fell into an early hole when UVA's Paige Selenski took a fast break to goal to give the Cavaliers a quick 1-0 lead.

After the quick score the game settled into a defensive struggle. The ACC's leading goal keeper Kim Kastuk had five of her 10 saves in the half. UVA's goal keeper stifled and shut out the Terps for a half.

"She is what kept UVA in that game," Grater said. "There were a great number of shots, not just shots on the goalie, but really to the post that she made some incredible saves."

The Terps offense was able to force a penalty corner with no time on the clock. By rule, the Terps were able to get a shot off and for a moment it seemed as if the Terps had tied the game on an Emma Thomas goal. But the umpire ruled the ball had never left the circle and took the goal off the board.

The Terps trailed at halftime for the first time this season. And with the goal wiped off the board all of the momentum was in Virginia's favor.

But the Terps refuse to let it fluster them.

"When you are getting knocked down are you going to get back up or are you going to stay down and complain about it. We chose to get back up."

The Terps not only got up, but raised their level of play out of the Cavilers' reach.

The Terps finally broke through UVA's defense on a penalty corner. Emma Thomas assisted Muracco who scored the Terps first goal of the game and knot it up at 1-1.

About six minutes later, Muracco struck again. This time the senior came through a scramble with the ball and slipped it past Kastuk to give the Terps a 2-1 lead.

"We just said keep shooting and keep putting pressure and keep playing with all of your heart," Muracco said.

While the Terps offense found their groove, the Terps defense locked down the Cavaliers offense. Grater finished the game with seven saves and out dueled one of the top keepers in the country.

Thomas finished off Virgina with a penalty stroke goal to secure the 3-1 win with under five minutes to play.

"It's not just about talent," Grater said. "It's about will. It's not about stopping once you tie or once you're up one goal. But to keep pushing and to get that two goal gap which makes it a little more comfortable.It was a great 70 minutes of field hockey."

Maryland Trails Virginia 1-0 at Half

by Cassie Duffy

In a difficult first half for No. 1 Maryland here at the field hockey complex the Terps have displayed a somewhat sloppy offense with an incredible amount of turnovers, and a failure to capitalize on 5 penalty corners which have usually been where they put points on the board.

This is the first time this season that Maryland has trailed at halftime.

No. 3 Virginia has once again showed off their incredible defense by keeping maryland shutout with only seven shots. Six of them were made by the Terps' stars Katie O'Donnell and Emma Thomas.

Virginia was able to capitalize on a poor pass on a Maryland penalty corner allowing their goal leader Paige Selenski to score unassisted on a fast break up the side.

With less than one minute left, Maryland was awarded a penalty corner which they successfully made. But after the score was put on the board, the umpire washed it out saying that the ball never left the half circle leaving the momentum on Virginia's side.

Maryland will attempt to make something happen in the second half against the fearless Virginia Cavaliers who are 5-0 against ranked opponents and 2-0 against those ranked in the top 10.

Terps Roll Past American

Missed the game? Listen to a replay here.

by Brian Kapur

WASHINGTON- Just two days after a big win against ACC rival No.3 Wake Forest, the No.1 Terrapin field hockey faced a potential let down game against the feisty American Eagles.

But the Terps avoided any sort of let down and gutted out a gritty 3-0 win.

"We came out really hard today and that's something we were really pleased with," senior back Emma Thomas said.

The Terps started off quickly as Katie O'Donnell stole the ball away inside American's 25, then fired it into the goal to put the Terps up 1-0.

American's defense, who statistically the best the Terps had faced, clamped down and kept the score at 1-0 at halftime.

The Terps knew American's defense was tough after the Eagles shut down the Demon Decons' offense 1-0 loss just days earlier.

"This was a really respectable team that we just played, senior goalkeeper Alicia Grater said. "They lost to Wake Forest 1-0, that speaks volumes. They were a really strong team that wanted to come after us."

But in the second half the Terps' poise and ability to play at a high level of hockey for 70 minutes got the better of American.

Thomas extended the Terps lead to 2-0 off a penalty stroke.

The Terps used great field position all game to hinder the Eagles offense. But late in the second half the Eagles took two of their five penalty corners, and had an open shot on goal on one of the attempts. But Grater made a terrific save to keep the Eagles off the board.

"Our corner defense was really good," Grater said. "To give up five corners to a team where corners are their strength and for me to make just one save it speaks a lot for the four people who are also(defending the corner)."

Thomas later iced the game with a penalty corner goal with an assist from senior Alexis Pappas.

Off to undefeated start

This season has gotten off to a perfect start for the defending national champion Terps' field hockey team.

The Terps remain undefeated after drubbing California 8-0, their third shut out of the season.

Up next is Wake Forest in a big showdown between No.1 and No.3 teams. Last year the Terps had to beat Wake to win the ACC and national championships.

Terps Reloaded for More

The Terps start the season tomrrow be sure to tune in at 5pm EST only on WMUCSports.com