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.