THREE-PEAT: Terps Beat Tar Heels 5-2

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By Brian Kapur

Complete Coverage coming soon

Day Light Savings Time Note

Just a note to all of our listeners that are abroad.

Today was fall back an hour in the US. So we turn our clocks back an hour. (For example right now instead of it being 9 in the morning, it is 8 in the morning ).

Thanks and we look forward to all of you listening to our coverage of the ACC Championship game

Preparing for Clash of the Titans II

All season Oct.23 was circled as the game to avenge 2009. But perhaps the real spot is Sunday in the ACC title game, in of all places Winston Salem.

The Terps and Tar Heels match up very well and it will be a battle of the top offense in the country against the top defense in the country.

Some thing has got to give and you can follow all of the action live on WMUCSports.com. With a special tournament start time--11:30 am, getting you set for the game at 12

A Second Chance

When something goes awry all anyone ever wants is a second chance, a chance for revenge, a chance for redemption. Well, UNC beat UVA on Friday night 1-0 in overtime to advance to the ACC Championship game.

So the Terps will be granted a second chance against UNC with a championship on the line. But beyond a championship being on the line, several other factors are in similar place.

Those similarities are striking, but all the Terps ever wanted is a second chance. And they have gotten one on as similar a stage as they will see this season. They beat UNC earlier this year. But to do it in this spot would exercise the demons of 2009 once and for all.

They could still face the Tar Heels again in the national title game, but to best the Heels on this stage would mean a lot and go a long way to set up the Terps at a title run

Welcome to Post Season Play! ACC Tournament

The first round of tournament action is over. After the dust settled, Wake Forest beat Boston College 2-1 in a grueling game that lasted until just three seconds were left in overtime. Later UVA beat Duke to advance to play UNC.

So far the seeds have held steady, but tomorrow is where things have become very interesting according to ACC tournament history.

The top seed has not been upset since 2000, (I couldnt research beyond that). But that 2/3 seed match up has traditionally been a toss up. Last year UVA upset the Tar Heels in this very spot. Both teams held the same seed as well.

The Terps will enter the fray against the host team, Wake Forest at 4pm. tomorrow.

Seniors Have Their Day, Terps Beatdown Louisville 8-0

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After an emotional win over UNC, the Terps could have had a let down against Louisville on senior day. But the Terps instead kept up their high level of play and the Terps seniors enjoyed an 8-0 romp over the Cardinals.

REDEMPTION: Terps Beat UNC 3-2

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The Terps beat UNC 3-2 in a thrilling game in College Park, Sunday nearly 11 months after the Tar HEels stole the 2009 national championship.

The Terps started the game out on fire and took out the months of frustration on the Heels. The Terps led 2-0 at halftime, but the Tar Heels would fight back to tie the game in the second half.

Jemma Buckley proved to be the difference when she fired in a penalty corner goal with just a few minutes remaining

THE REMATCH

Well Terp fans, this has been 11 months in the making. The No.2 Terps take on the No.1 Tar Heels later today. This game really needs no introduction and has no shortage of story lines.

Setting the scene: The Terps battled North Carolina in last year's national championship game. And Maryland held a 2-1 lead with around 10 minutes to play. But two questionable calls, including a yellow card (giving UNC a man-up advantage) and a penalty corner with under a minute to play (the officials missed a call on UNC before calling the corner), gave UNC the win and ripped the title and undefeated season away. Anyone in Terrapin nation who knows this team or has been around it knows the significance of the moment.

Story lines:

• The most important tangible factor here is ACC tournament seeding. The loser of this game - assuming seeding holds form in the first round of the tournament- would have to go through UVA to get to the ACC title game (and again have to face the winner of this game). The ACC is a very tough conference and any body can beat anybody. But if you only have to play the Terps, UNC or UVA, your odds have to improve enroute to the ACC title, rather than having to play 2 of the top 3 in the country to do so.
• The revenge factor from last season. Make no mistake the Terps are fired up for this one
• The top offense in the country against the top defense

There are many more, and to cover it all tune in to WMUCSports with a special start time at 12:30 !

Terps Begin Redemption Week with Shutout

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The Terps shutout upstart and local rival American 3-0. The Terps had one of their most stifling defensive performances of the season in the big win.

Terps roast Blue Hens 7-2

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By Brian Kapur

After 10 minutes of play and both teams getting a feel for each other, the Terps knocked Delaware our in a two minute flurry that resulted in a very quick 3-0 lead that opened the flood gates at the Terps rolled to a 7-2 victory.

Delaware went on a 2-1 scoring run to make it a 4-2 game. But the Terps closed the game out with three unanswered goals to win 7-2

Live Blogging Terps vs ODU at ODU

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WE ARE LIVE, OUR STREAM IS FIXED, TUNE IN LIVE AT http://wmucradio.com/sports-high.m3u
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POPE SCORES FOR THE TERPS on a turnover! 6-4 Terps with 28:34 to go
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start of the 2nd half

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TERPS LEAD 5-4 at HALF, 2 min till the start of the 2nd half


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Halftime stats:
Shots- 10(terps)-9
Vassalotti 2 saves, ODU 3 saves

Penalty corners 3(terps)-2

Goals- Fraz scored 2, OD scored 1, Witmer scored one, McEvoy scored 1

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That will do it for the half folks! Terps lead 5-4 headed into the locker room!
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1 min to go, Terps backine controls , Terps lead 5-4
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TERPS DRAW a CORNER with 1:43 to go...goes wide. Stays terps bakk 5-4 game
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These last 3 minutes of the half are crucial. ODU trying to tie the game and take momentum into the locker room, meanwhile Maryland is trying to get some of their cushion back
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Clutter goal, ODU battling back!! Its now 5-4, as they scored a goal in the circle and sneak it in ...(5:01, 5-4)
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ODU transition sneaks behind the defense, 1v1 against Vassalotti and scores it to cut the lead to 5-3 (7:03, 5-3 terp lead)
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ODU with a wide open shot against Vassalotti, goes WIDE (10:42, 5-2) ODU Defense starting to press the terps backline

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Terps go right down the field and draw a corner...TERPS SCORE!! Ali McEvoy SCORES on the corner!! hard shot from the top of the circle (13:37, 5-2 terp lead)
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Terps faced two ODU penalty corners, first shot earned another corner, second shot went wide.....(15:17, 4-2)
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JWOW!! TERPS GOAL!! Witmer had the ball in the circle, passed it back to Fraz who score the goal! A little Give it, get it , GOOOO !! Terps lead 4-2 (19:57, 4-2)

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TERPS RETAKE the LEAD!. Katie O'Donnell got a pass at the 25 and had Jill Witmer up ahead then OD fed it to Jill who had a 1v1 with the keeper and SCORES!!! (21:22, TERP LEAD 3-2)
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Clutter for ODU has a one-on-one with Vassalotti and SCORES, ODU has tied the game at 2. (22:13, 2-2)
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Wow this game is insane, both teams moving up and down the field and we have another Terps goal. Jill Witmer fed the ball into the circle for OD and O'Donnell scores the goal! TERPS LEAD 2-1 (26:01, 2-1 Terp lead)
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ODU answers back on a top shelf shot just seconds after the first goal. Just a great high floater that found the top corner of the goal (27:22 1-1)
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ROCKET SHOT! Meghan Frazer scores for the terps !! 1-0 terp lead with 28 min to go. Absolute rocket of a shot to score it. She was unassisted and used great stick work to get inside the circle and crank in the shot (28:01, 1-0)
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Old Dominion initially dominated possession, but the terps are starting to pick up their attack and pressure and are starting to control the ball more (29:23 , 0-0)

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sun is out as we are set for the start of this game. Notable starter for the Terps is Melissa Vassalotti is getting the start in goal
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Hey Terp fans I will keep you updated on all of the action live from Norfolk, VA. We are having major technical issues and will have the game broadcast on tape delay at 5pm on Monday.

The rain has stopped and the conditions are clearing up here. We are less than 5 minutes from the start of the game

BREAKING: Katie O'Donnell Named Sports Woman of the Year

One big accolade and accomplishment for Katie O'Donnell, one major win and step forward for field hockey. OD became the first hockey player to win the award and helped to continued to put the sport on the map of America and spread awareness of the sport. It was not just a win for OD, but one for the sport and Terp nation

Terps Thrash Pacific 11-2

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On Sunday, the Terps dominated Pacific and routed the overmatched Tigers 11-2. Jemma Buckley notched her first career hat-trick. Meanwhile Jill Witmer and Meghan Frazer notched a pair of goals each.

Terps Beat Duke, Remain Undefeated in ACC Play

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By Brian Kapur

The Maryland Terrapins held a pregame ceremony to honor coach Missy Meharg for her 400th career win. After 70 minutes of hockey, the Terps collected win 401 for the coach.

The Terps were the faster and more dominant team on the field and sent an early message as Katie O'Donnell scored an unassisted goal just seven minutes into the game.

Duke's goal keeper Samantha Nelson kept the Blue Devils int the game by notching nine saves, including four in the first half on eight shots, and six on 12 shots in the second half.

But the Terps relentless offense was able to find another hole before halftime when Ali McEvoy fired in a goal off a penalty corner to make it a 2-0 Terp lead.

In the second half, Duke was able to hang around, thanks to Nelson's play in goal, and cut the Terps lead to 2-1 with just over six minutes to go.

After a timeout, the Terps slammed the door shut on any hopes of a Blue Devil comeback when Janessa Pope led a transition counter attack and dished out an assist to Jill Witmer who knocked in a game icing goal to give the Terps a 3-1 win.

Terps goal keeper Melissa Vassalotti finished the game with three saves on five shots.

The Terps Beat Michigan, Meharg gets 400th Win

The Terps beat Michigan to extend their record to 10-1 and finish a tough 4 games in 8 days road trip that took them from Winston Salem to Princeton to Charlottesville and finally to Ann Arbor Michigan.

Coach Missy Meharg collected her 400th career win in the process.

Terps uutlast Virginia in Overtime, Vassalotti has career day

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The Terps returned to Virginia and left it the way they did in the ACC Championship game- victorious in overtime 2-1 on a penalty corner goal.

The Terps continued their four games-in-eight-days road trip in Charlottesville against No.3 UVA. The Cavaliers took the early lead on the Terrapins and seemed poised to run away with things. But the Terps matched speed with speed.

The Terps defense settled in and their back-line played the game of the season and shut down the Cavs offense which boasts several members of the USA national team.

Defenders Ali Mo, Lauren Barr, and Ali McEvoy played their finest game together and made several astounding tackles and refused to lose one-on-one situations against the likes of Paige Selenski.

In goal Melissa Vassalotti started her seventh straight game and posted a career high eight saves.

On offense, Katie O'Donnell out-dueled Selenski in a match up of two of the most dynamic players in the nation- scoring the game winning goal and assisting the game tying goal.

Terps Win in Return to Winston-Salem

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The Terps returned to Winston-Salem and exorcised some of the Demons of the past with a trilling 5-3 win.

Freshman Jill Witmer scored a pair of goals, while Jemma Buckley, Kirstie Dennig and Katie O'Donnell added in a goal each.

Return to the Scene of the Crime

Its something that I hope few people will ever have to feel- a crippling utter sickness that consumes you.

When UNC scored the game-winning goal with 11.7 seconds remaining in the national championship on Nov. 22 2009. The specter consumed you- the devastation of that loss; the pure heartbreak; how everything that went so right and was suddenly so wrong? The fact that a horrible and cruel end would happen to good people…Those were just some of the thoughts as that last malicious shot hit the backboard to seal the 2009 Terp’s fate. I uttered the only words that I could muster at that very moment month’s prior, not this way, this can’t be happening. But it did.

As I returned to the scene of the crime all of those emotions consumed me just as they had been 10 months prior. They had festered over that time, the wounds still raw.

Just getting to the city of Winston Salem, seeing the skyline that had been our home- -away-from-home during last years final four just started to curdle my stomach and make me feel uneasy. By the time the field and stadium came into view, I wanted to hurl. A rush of emotions filled me: anger, sadness, what could have been, broken hearts and a ruined dream.

I went into the bleachers and sat in the front row, my eyes fixed on the right side of the field…Where that shot went in. Replaying it in my head over and over, seeing the band clad in that God-awful Carolina blue erupt in cheers. Hearing the roar of the Terp fans, who had plenty of reason to cheer throughout the game. But this was not meant to be. Seeing last year’s seniors crumpled to their knees, hands over their face wondering what the hell just happened, looking at the stunned disbelief, the numbness of the moment.

For two hours I wandered the stadium, even into the pressroom. I lived in the past and flashed back as if it were unfolding all over again and again and again. My throat again buried in my stomach….

Then as I returned to the front row of the bleachers I heard a ball crack into the backboard. On the same goal that IT happened, the same one that North Carolina had dealt the kill shot just 10 months prior. There was a young, new Terp. One who was not there on that November day- a freshman. It was an ode to bury the past and move forward. And in that moment, I got up, went up to the perch in the press box and felt a sense of renewal and rebirth.

You cant change the past, you can only control the future and ensure that the next trip to Wake Forest will lead to more hardware and set up a run for redemption.

That’s the beauty of sports. There is always next year, no matter how badly the previous ended and now its time for these Terps to turn the page and write some new chapters.

Freshman Jill Witmer tabbed ACC Player of the Week

Jill Witmer was named the ACC play of the week for the first time in her young career. Against Boston College and UMass Witmer posted two goals and an assist.

Former Terp Makes Appearance on Oprah

by Brian Kapur

Former Terp Kristina Foster, better known as Roo was on the Oprah show last week. It was a very inspiring story about her mom Denni, who worked three jobs to put Roo and her two siblings through school. Its an awe-inspiring story, be sure to check it out. I would recommend having a box of tissues near by. Click here to see it

Terps Shutout UMass 3-0

by Brian Kapur
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The Terps played their first back-to-back of the season and prevailed over UMass, just a day after a physical game against Boston College.

The Terps scored their first goal of the game 16 minutes in when Ali McEvoy found Jemma Buckley for a goal.

In the second half, Katie O'Donnell padded her ACC career points record by dishing out two assists. The first was on a penalty corner push that Meghan Frazer scored on.

Then Jill Witmer scored a goal off an O'Donnell assist to make it a 3-0 game.

In goal Melissa Vassalotti had three saves in her third consecutive start.

OD Sets ACC Points Mark, Terps Top BC in ACC Opener

By Brian Kapur

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(You will hear music, the broadcast starts shortly after just skip to the 1:10 minute mark)*

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Listen to WMUC's Highlights from the game by clicking here

The Terps opened ACC play with a huge target on their back after rolling through conference play last season. Boston College took their best shots at the Terps and took a 1-0 lead early, but the Eagles' best jabs merely delayed the inevitable.

After falling down 1-0, the Terps responded on a penalty corner goal by Jemma Buckley who scored from just inside the top of the circle.

Just seconds later Katie O'Donnell added another record to her collection. O'Donnell led a breakaway and set up Jill Witmer for a goal in transition. The assist gave O'Donnell sole possesion of the ACC career points record at 231, a number she has since increased.

Witmer would add in another goal before half to make it a 3-1 Terp advantage at halftime.

In the second half, Buckley would ice the game on an insane play. Meghan Frazer set a rocket of a pass over to Buckley who deflected the ball in to give the Terps an insurmountable four goals.

The Eagles would add in another goal, but it would be too little too late.

Terps goal keeper Melissa Vassalotti had three saves on the day.

Frazer Leads the Terps Past Rutgers 8-1

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Terps Unleash Offense in 7-0 Drubbing of New Hampshire

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Terps Shutout Villanova 5-0

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By Brian Kapur

The Terps field hockey team finished up their opening weekend trip in Philadelphia with a dominating defensive performance, shutting out Villanova 5-0 and allowing the Wildcats to take just one shot.

The Terps earned a penalty stroke within the first two minutes of the game and it was converted by Katie O'Donnell for her second goal of the season.

Later in the first half, sophomre Jemma Buckley took the ball to goal unassisted to make it a 2-0 Terp advantage.

The Terps offense continued to attack and kept the ball in scoring position for most of the half. Just minutes later Maryland was rewarded with another goal when Meghan Frazer passed the ball ahead to Lindsey Puckett who tapped in the goal.

Harriet Tibble and Alicia Morawski kept the defensive pressure up as the Terps kept attacking the Wildcats in waves and rarely allowed the ball into the Maryland circle.

The Terps scored on a pair of penalty corners before halftime. Kirstie Dennig scored first and at the end of the half freshman Al McEvoy scored an untimed penalty corner goal to make it 5-0.

The Terps would allow one shot nearly 63 minutes into the game. Freshman Natalie Hunter got the start in goal and had a save on the one shot.

Note: The WMUC Player of the game was Morawski

Terps Slay Dragons 4-2

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By Brian Kapur

Every team that Maryland bullied over the last couple of years will be lining up to take their best shot at the Terps. Drexel, who the Terps bounced from last year's NCAA tournament was no exception.

But the Dragons' best shot was not enough as the Terps beat Drexel 4-2 in front of a packed out at Drexel's Buckley Field in Philadelphia.

The Terrapins wasted little time showing that their offense would be as explosive as ever again this season. Just six minutes into the game sophomore Meghan Frazer stole the ball deep in the Maryland circle and made a great outlet pass to senior Katie O'Donnell who turned on the jets in transition. O'Donnell passed the ball ahead to a wide open Janessa Pope who scored the first goal of the the 2010 season.

The Terps later scored on a penalty corner when Jill Witmer deflected the ball in to make it a 2-0 Terp advantage just nine minutes into the game.

With just three minutes left in the half the Terps scored on another penalty corner, this time O'Donnell knocked in the goal to make it a commanding 3-0 lead.

The Terps allowed just two shots in the first half and outshot the Dragons overall 16-9. The Terps did a great job getting back on defense in transition. Drexel had two scoring changes both on breakaways, but the Maryland defense converged and goal keeper Melissa Vassalotti was in position to stop the ball.

The Redshirt junior keeper had four saves on nine shots in her starting debut.

But Drexel refused to go quietly. The Dragons made a furious push in the second half to cut the deficit to 3-2 with a minute to go. But the Terps drew a penalty corner and scored with 24 seconds remaining. Buckley banged in a goal to ice the game.

Note: The WMUC Player of the game award was split between O'Donnell and Vassalotti

RELOADED AND BACK FOR MORE

By Brian Kapur

While the names on the back of the jerseys change year-to-year, Maryland remains on the front and so do the expectations. The Terps come into this season with a slew of new faces and will have to replace last year's senior class which was held a record of 85-8. But as one preseason poll revealed, expectations are as high as ever with the Terps at No.2 in that poll.

Although there are many new aspects to the field hockey team this season, the Terps still have Katie O'Donnell who is widely regarded as the best field hockey player in the country. and newly minted hall of fame coach Missy Meharg. While every team the Terps face will try to stop O'Donnell and make the other Terps beat them. But Meharg has done a great job of reloading and there will be plenty of offensive fire power alongside O'Donnell as well as a new-look defense.

On the attack, Meghan Frazer is expected to have a huge offensive season and was a preseason all- ACC pick. Frazer scored the game winning goal in the ACC title game last season and brings an attitude and toughness to the Terps. The Terps offense also returns Janessa Pope who had a productive freshman season and will now be called upon to play a bigger role.

The Terps have a lot of young offensive talent that will emerge and as the season begins expect the likes of Jill Witmer and Lindsey Puckett to play big roles while others could definitely emerge on the offensive end.

On defense the Terps have a new look. Returning starters are captain Alicia Morawski and Colleen Gulick; and Harriet Tibble, who saw significant playing time late last season. The Terps will also bring back Amanda Himmelheber who has played big minutes in the past and Meghan Dean returns after an ACL injury derailed her last season.

Among the new comers, Lauren Barr stands out as a defensive version of Frazer- she is expected to bring some added toughness and physical play- to the defense as well.

In goal the Terps will split minutes between Redshirt Junior Melissa Vassalotti and Natalie Hunter. Coach Missy Meharg has voiced confidence in both keepers and is happy to have two keepers that can play.

While the Terps will have to evolve and find their own identity, one thing is for certain, this team is built to run and this team is going to be an exciting one to watch.

Welcome to the 2010 Season!

Hello Hockey fans!

I am happy to be back on board for my third season calling Terps field hockey, and my second as the crew chief. I have big plans for this blog space this season and for our broadcasts as a whole this season. I hope to provide even better coverage of the team including highlights available exclusively in this blog, photos and analysis.

Some of the things to look forward to this season:

-We will again have the the Missy Meharg talk show. We will sit down with coach on Monday afternoons on WMUCSports.com. We will chat with coach about the week that was in Terp hockey.

-Assistant Coach Dina Rizzo will be part of our pre and post game show providing analysis and breaking down the Terps matchups.

I will be back later this week after media day on Wednesday with a season preview. I will also post a "meet the crew" feature so you can put names and faces to the voices you will be hearing on game days.

Again I am very excited to be back calling hockey this season. Feel free to e-mail me with any questions or feedback at bkapurdbk@gmail.com.

-Brian Kapur