In a weekend that could potentially define No. 8 Maryland field hockey’s season, the Terps will welcome No. 3 Ohio State Friday at 5 p.m. and No. 7 Michigan Sunday at noon. Both games will stream on Big Ten Plus.
The Terps are on a four-game winning streak, yet they’ve dropped in the rankings each of the last two weeks because of other teams’ success. Two weeks ago, it was Michigan’s victory over previously undefeated Ohio State that lifted the Wolverines above Maryland into the No. 5 spot. Last week, Maryland was vaulted by a UConn team that has reeled off seven straight wins and a Saint Joseph’s squad that demolished then-No. 3 Virginia on Sunday, 5-2.
Regardless, head coach Missy Meharg must look at this weekend’s slate as a key to the season. The difference between two victories and two defeats could be monumental in determining the Terps’ path to success in the conference and national tournaments.
Ohio State (11-1, 2-1 Big Ten)
The Buckeyes have made remarkable strides recently under head coach Jarred Martin. A team that hovered around .500 for most of Martin’s eight-year tenure won 14 games last year, its most since 2010. This season, it has gradually ascended to the No. 3 spot in the country, dropping just one game all season.
Players to know
Makenna Webster, graduate forward, No. 8 — A dual-sport athlete who was part of the Ohio State reigning national-champion women’s hockey team, Webster leads the field hockey team with 12 goals and nine assists. Maryland will have to shut Webster down to beat the Buckeyes — she accounts for more than 25% of Ohio State’s points on the season.
Abby Danson, fifth-year senior goalkeeper, No. 75 — Danson has been an integral part of the Buckeyes’ rise up the rankings this year. Through 12 games, she has allowed just eight goals, the fifth-best mark in the nation. A 0.7 goals against average and 80.5% save percentage highlight the improvements Danson has displayed in her final season with Ohio State.
Strength
Penalty corners. The Buckeyes average 7.5 penalty corners per game and tend to make good on them. Twelve of Ohio State’s 44 goals have come off of penalty corners.
Weakness
Offensive depth. Webster is the only player with more than five goals or four assists for the Buckeyes this season. Maryland does an exceptional job nullifying a team’s go-to player — this season, the Terps have kept all five top-10 Big Ten goal scorers they’ve faced off the scoresheet. If that happens again, Ohio State will need another player to step up offensively.
Michigan (10-1, 3-0 Big Ten)
Head coach Marcia Pankratz has led Michigan for 25 total seasons, including a current 16-year streak, and has won an NCAA championship and 10 regular season Big Ten titles with the Wolverines.
This season, Michigan looks poised to add to Pankratz’s trophy cabinet. After a 4-1 loss in their opening game to undefeated No. 1 North Carolina, the Wolverines have reeled off 10 straight wins. Michigan leads the Big Ten in goals and shots on goal, with the fierce Wolverine offense set to give a stout Maryland defense its toughest test yet.
Players to know
Abby Tamer, redshirt junior midfielder, No. 4 — Tamer was the first Olympian in Michigan field hockey history and led the Olympic team with two goals in Paris. Tamer leads the Wolverines with 10 goals and nine assists this season, with her 0.82 assists per game tied for fourth in the nation.
Kate McLaughlin, graduate forward, No. 16 — McLaughlin’s statistics in limited game time this year are staggering. In just seven games and 212 total minutes played, McLaughlin has nine goals and four assists, averaging a goal contribution every 16 minutes. And her shooting has been lethal — McLaughlin boasts a 40.9% shot percentage this season.
Strength
Scoring. The list of teams averaging more than four goals per game is a short one. Michigan leads the nation with 4.4 goals per game, and Saint Joseph’s is the next closest with a mark of 4.1 goals per game.
Weakness
Ranked matchups. Michigan looks beatable when it goes up against quality opponents, as their gaudy attacking numbers have come down to earth in three games against ranked opponents. The Wolverines have still gone 2-1, only losing to North Carolina, but have only scored four goals in these ranked games.
Three things to know
1. Conference seeding at play. The top four teams in the Big Ten are battling for positioning, with Northwestern and Michigan undefeated in conference play and Maryland and Ohio State with one conference loss. With two wins this weekend, Maryland could move into a second-place spot that would bode well for the rest of the season — Northwestern has not played either of the Terps’ weekend opponents.
2. Ohio State hunting for Terps. The Buckeyes are another conference foe to have never defeated Maryland. The Terps are 13-0 against Ohio State since joining the Big Ten and will hope to maintain their perfect record Friday.
3. Maryland holds the edge against Michigan. The Terps are on a three-game winning streak against Michigan, and are 17-4 against it over the last 20 years. But six of the last seven contests have been decided by a one-goal margin. Michigan’s defense has been underappreciated as their offense gets most of the plaudits — the Wolverines have only conceded 10 goals this season. Look for a tight game on Sunday.
