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.