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.