The Terps look to carry their momentum from the win over Duke into Friday.
The No. 7 Maryland Terrapins return home to the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex in College Park, Maryland to take on the UMass Minutewomen.
The Terps are coming off a dominating 4-0 victory over then-No. 12 Duke in the finale of the Big Ten/ACC Cup finale.
Maryland went 1-1 in this year’s annual interconference competition, only losing to the then-No. 7 Boston College Eagles on Sept 3. by a score of 3-2. Star forward Bibi Donraadt recorded two goals in the victory over Duke that led her to be named Big Ten Offensive Player of The Week.
Maryland (2-1) will look to go 2-0 on their home turf as they welcome the undefeated UMass Minutewomen (4-0). The last time these two teams squared off was in the 2016 NCAA Tournament when the Terps defeated UMass, 2-1.
The game is set to start at 4 p.m. on Friday and will be aired on BTN Plus.
Now let’s look at the UMass Minutewomen.
UMass Minutewomen (4-0)
2020 record: 7-4 (3-2 Atlantic 10)
The Minutewomen are led by their head coach Barb Weinberg, who’s returning for her fifth season for her club.
UMass has made consistent strides under Weinberg’s leadership, as her club upset No. 16 Boston University in 2016 and made an appearance in the Atlantic 10 Championship.
In 2019, Weinberg’s team ended the season on a five-game winning streak that led them to the No. 2 seed in the Atlantic 10 Championship.
Weinberg returns to College Park where she served as an assistant coach on Missy Meharg’s coaching staff for two seasons: 2011 and 2012.
UMass has defeated Northeastern, Maine, Vermont and Albany this season to remain undefeated.
Players to know
Emilie Marchio, freshman forward, No. 2 —This talented freshman has made her presence felt immediately in her brief career for the Minutewomen. She has two goals this season, tied for the most on the team. Marchio is shooting an impressive 50% in four games to add to a potent offensive attack for UMass.
Georgie McTear, graduate midfielder, No. 12 — McTear returns for her graduate season as she led the Minutewomen in goals last season with seven. In 2021, McTear is currently tied for the lead in goals on the season, with two thus far. She also leads her team in shots on the season with a dazzling 18 attempts.
Mus Defauwes, senior midfielder/forward, No. 3 — Defauwes currently ranks second on her team in shots on the season, recording nine in four games. The midfielder has already registered one goal on the season, matching her goal total for the abbreviated 2020-21 season.
Strength
Shots on goal percentage. The UMass Minutewomen are very efficient at converting their shots on goal whenever they are in scoring position. They are currently converting on 64.5% of their shots on goals. The Minutewomen are an impressive 40-62 in shots on goals attempts, which allows them to take advantage of scoring opportunities.
Weakness
Penalty corners. UMass has allowed 27 penalties that led to corners on the season, which has put its defense in unfavorable situations in a few of their games. The Terps have taken 21 penalty corners this season.
Three things to watch
1. Can Maryland capitalize on their penalty corners? In the Terps’ last contest, they were 0-7 on penalty corners. Maryland should look to capitalize on its corners with its premier offensive talent in Donraadt and midfielders Brooke DeBerdine and Julianna Tornetta, among others. Fixing this glaring weakness of the Terps’ game will only continue to strengthen an offense that is at times unstoppable.
2. Will Maryland’s pressure continue to generate offense? In the Terps’ victory over Duke, Maryland was relentless in smothering its opponents. Forward Margot Lawn, defender Maura Verleg and Tornetta were outstanding in forcing their opponents into compromising traps that led to instant turnovers that ignited their offense.
3. Can Maryland end UMass’s unblemished record? The Minutewomen come to College Park with a perfect 4-0 record, with the hopes of defeating the No. 7 ranked Terrapins. The Terrapins will look to impose their will and unleash their offense, with the intention of ending UMass’ hope of a perfect season.