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