Thirty straight seasons of the Terps making the NCAA tournament made their success feel inevitable. But for the first time since 1994, the Terps won’t compete for a national championship after a roller coaster season ended three decades of consistency.

“I feel deeply responsible,” Meharg said. “It’s not a space we’ve been in. And for all these new players, it wasn’t what they anticipated.”

With 11 new players, Meharg said she had difficulty finding lineup combinations and giving players consistent roles. She played the most first-year players in her 28 seasons.

From game to game, she made lineup and position changes, searching for something that would work better, but said the constant changes might have affected player performance on the field.

She added that injuries and inconsistencies held the team back. Meharg admitted that she could have communicated clearly to her players about why the adjustments were happening, especially with such a young group.

“I can look at paper and realize we had 11 new players and try to rationalize, but that doesn’t feel deserving to the outcome,“ Meharg said. “I need to debrief with my staff more and hold me and them a bit more responsible for the details of finishing.”

[Penalty corners plague Maryland field hockey in 2-1 Big Ten tournament loss to Ohio State]

Maryland finished the season with a 10-8 record — its lowest win total since the last time it missed the tournament in 1994 — but that doesn’t reflect the talent of this year’s team.

This year’s iteration eerily resembled the Terps’  2024 campaign, where all seven losses came by one goal and they never trailed by more than one score. This season, they trailed by multiple scores only twice all season and never entered the fourth quarter down by more than one goal.

The inability to close out close games came down to poor offensive execution. Maryland finished tied for last in the Big Ten with only 30 goals scored, and 61st in the country with 1.67 scores per game.

“It’s the hardest part of the game,” Meharg said about finishing goals. “The reality is, there were three games this entire season that we were outshot. So you have to accept the game the way those are.”

The offensive inconsistency took away from a stellar defensive season. The Terps’ defense — ranked second in the Big Ten with 19 goals allowed. Veterans such as Josie Hollamon, seniors Ericka Morris-Adams and Fleur Knopert and goalkeeper Alyssa Klebasko — who ranked eighth in the country in goals allowed per game with 1.067 — anchored the back line.

The first warning signs came in the second weekend of the season during the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. The Terps dropped both games despite having more opportunities than their opponents. 

[Maryland field hockey enters Big Ten tournament fighting for its NCAA bid]

In the first matchup against Boston College, Maryland went 0 for 10 on penalty corner chances. They dominated shots against Duke 7 to 3 two days later, but allowed two penalty corner scores.

The best stretch of the season followed those two losses, as the Terps won four games in a row. Ella Gaitan scored the winning goal in the final minute to earn the win against Saint Joseph’s. A dominant win against Penn State followed, where the Terps outshot the Nittany Lions 20 to 3, then shutout a ranked Michigan team.

But then concerns from the two early losses grew. The Terps piled up narrow defeats and an overtime loss in low-scoring games, while the victories followed the same scripts.

Maryland had chances all season long to turn it around, but could never capitalize on opportunities.

The Terps graduate just two starters and return Big Ten freshman of the year Jordyn Hollamon, along with her sister and 2024 Big Ten defensive player of the year Josie Hollamon. Fellow classmates Maci Bradford, who led the team in points, and goalkeeper Klebasko will provide stability to a program hoping to return to contention.

“We played so many new players that I think there’s a lot of combinations of people that are just natural, enthusiastic and [full of] positivity and energy,” Meharg said. “We’ve got a nice combination of leaders … I’m super excited about next year.”

Inconsistent offense held Maryland back throughout the regular season. It kept close in matches against top-10 opponents but rarely won, and suffered losses despite dominating possession control.

Penalty corner execution, a constant in Maryland’s defeats this season, proved to be the difference on Thursday. No. 7 seed Ohio State converted on two of its four chances — a mark the Terps couldn’t recover from in a 2-1 loss at Deborah Tobias Field.

“We had great scoring opportunities. I’m sure a lot of the players would like to have them back” coach Missy Meharg said. “Ohio State was very opportunistic, and when they had their chances, they made more than Maryland did.”

Maryland’s season now rests in the hands of the NCAA tournament selection committee. Despite a top-15 national ranking, crucial losses may put the Terps on the cusp of receiving a bid.

“There’s always a chance,” Meharg said. “I think right now, we’re just a little bit numb. We’ll talk about an NCAA [tournament] berth probably another time.”

Maryland (10-8, 5-4 Big Ten) was shutout in all eight of its corner attempts on Thursday, the latter of which marked the Terps’ best look.

The Terps’ final penalty corner setup was nearly flawless. But Fleur Knopert, sitting adjacent to the cage, missed a shot attempt wide with just over two minutes left.

[Maryland field hockey enters Big Ten tournament fighting for its NCAA bid]

Despite a strong start, an inability to convert on opportunities against a statistically weaker opponent plagued Maryland.

The opening five minutes played to the Terps’ advantage. Maryland dominated possessions and intercepted a plethora of Ohio State (8-9, 4-5 Big Ten) passes — a common theme throughout the period, despite three mistimed shot attempts.

“Penalty corners are about isolated execution,” Meharg said. “We’ve [had] a less than desired output on those all season.”

The second quarter trended in similar fashion.

The Terps opened the frame with a failed breakaway opportunity, then backpedaled after an Ohio State counterattack. The Buckeyes then earned a penalty corner after two missed shot attempts — and took advantage.

A strike from Anne Marie Krebs wiped away an ugly first period and put the Buckeyes ahead.

Just minutes after the break, Maia Adamson answered back for the Terps. A run deep in Maryland’s attacking circle led to a timely goal midway through the third frame.

[Maryland field hockey notebook: Which team will fans see in the postseason?]

Ohio State lost five overtime matches in 2025 and seven games by one goal. Its lone extra-period win of the year came against Maryland on Oct. 3. Furthermore, the Buckeyes entered Thursday’s first-round matchup fresh off four consecutive losses and the worst scoring margin in the Big Ten.

But despite stymied momentum, Katie Fichtner responded in the third quarter. The senior scored Ohio State’s second penalty corner goal, which proved to be a game-winner.

Maryland’s desperation was evident down the stretch.

Meharg pulled goalie Alyssa Klebasko from goal with five minutes remaining — a risky tactic against a surging Ohio State offense. The Terps’ offense created improved chances with the player advantage, yet still couldn’t find the net before the final whistle.

“One would say that Maryland outplayed Ohio State in terms of the quality of the match,” Meharg said. “But when it comes to the goal line, they took advantage of the opportunities far better than Maryland.”

Inconsistent play has left Maryland field hockey battling to keep its hopes of a national title alive in the conference tournament.

As a program that has won eight national championships, the NCAA-wide tournament is the bare minimum. Despite No. 11 Maryland’s high overall ranking, the Terps are ranked 19th in RPI — a critical determinant in selecting teams for the 18-team playoff.

Meharg stressed the Terps now need to put together full 60-minute games and close wins.

“We’ve played quarters against Northwestern and Princeton and other teams where it’s just been brilliant,” Meharg said. “We absolutely know we can play a brand and we’re going to need to do it four times, 15 minutes.”

[No. 11 Maryland field hockey heads into the postseason with 4-0 win over Northeastern]

While Maryland is 1-4 against top ten teams this year, losses to Indiana, Ohio State and Boston College have it scrambling. The Hoosiers and Buckeyes rank 34rd and 35th in RPI, respectively, while Boston College boasts an unimpressive 6-10 record this season.

Maryland’s lone top-ten win came on the road against No. 9 Iowa on Oct. 10. With limited success against top-ranked opponents, it’s easy to question a grueling schedule.

Now, the Terps are in a difficult position.

If Maryland doesn’t win a game in the Big Ten tournament, the season could be over. With only one win, chances of making the tournament increase dramatically, but they are likely still not guaranteed an at-large bid.

The Terps will face Ohio State in the first round of the Big Ten tournament — whom they lost to in overtime on Oct. 3.

Meharg felt the team wasn’t well prepared for the overtime matchup then, with many young players across the field. Josie Hollamon referred to the rematch with the Buckeyes as an opportunity for “revenge” and said playing a more cohesive game will be key.

“[It’s] another opportunity to really show how good we are,” Annemijn Klijnhout said. “We lost against Ohio [State], but we didn’t play our best game … The connection at Ohio [State] was a little bit off.”

[Maryland field hockey notebook: Which team will fans see in the postseason?]

Maryland is not expecting a similar style to their previous matchup. Meharg said Tuesday the team is changing its strategy to get better shots and earn more penalty corners on simple offensive plays.

The Buckeyes are in a similar spot — but more desperate for a win. Ohio State is 2-7 against ranked teams this season, and lost to Michigan State who ranks a lowly 56th in RPI.

“I think across the board … we have more better players,” Meharg said. “They play their top players a lot more. So you want to keep the whole field spread and make sure we play vertical hockey.”

A potential semifinal matchup for Maryland would be against either Iowa or Indiana. A finals matchup likely comes against No. 2 Northwestern who ranks fifth in RPI, and has defeated the Terps six straight matches, including postseason wins in 2022 and 2023.

“You advance or you’re done,” Meharg said about the tournament. “We all know that we’re going to need to win it. To get an automatic qualification is what we’re after.”

The Terps hadn’t scored more than a single goal in a game in four weeks — needing to turn opportunities into goals.

“What I really want is for us to be able to get on the board, to be able to feel a little more freed up,” coach Missy Meharg said on Thursday.

The Terps did that, scoring a fourth-minute goal by Maddie Vasilios, and the dynamic sister duo of Josie and Jordyn Hollamon added insurance scores for a 4-0 victory Sunday at the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex.

“It’s the most goals we scored, we had a couple back post goals we’ve been working really hard on, [and] first touch rebounds, which is great… We’ve been working on that discipline and it couldn’t come at a better time.”

Since opening weekend, Maryland (10-7, 5-3 Big Ten) hadn’t established a multi-score lead in the first half. Every game was within one goal at half and the Terps grew accustomed to playing in tight contests.

[Maryland field hockey notebook: Which team will fans see in the postseason?]

With the postseason starting Thursday, the offense needed to create an identity against Northeastern (9-8, 3-3 CAA), which has struggled against power conference competition. The Huskies struggled in their other Big Ten matchup on Sep. 14 and were outshot by Ohio State 17-2. Northeastern earned just two penalty corners in the 2-0 loss.

The increase in competition was evident again on Sunday as Maryland jumped out to the early and never let up.

The Terps outshot the Huskies 28-4 — the highest differential of the season with 16 shots on goal.

“28 shots to four goals, though. I think it could be a little bit better,” Josie Hollamon said. “But I am proud that we were able to put the ball on cage and get a lot of outcomes.”

Northeastern first earned a penalty corner, but it would benefit the Terps. The defense stopped the Huskies attempt, leading to a counterattack opportunity. Maryland raced down the left side, passing it across the field to freshman Brinkley Eyre, who found Vasilios for the goal.

Josie Hollamon added another score with a penalty corner in the second. The Terps offense consistently kept the ball in attacking situations, while defensive pressure stifled Northeastern’s attempts to cross midfield.

[No. 19 Maryland field hockey’s offense stalls again in 2-0 loss to No. 4 Virginia]

In the third quarter, the Terps stayed on Northeastern’s side of the field for most of the quarter, and attempted nine total shots on seven penalty corners. They failed to score despite several opportunities deep in the attacking circle — similar to the issues they’ve had the entire season.

They corrected those mistakes in the fourth. Two goals in just over two minutes from Jordyn Hollamon and Maya Everett extended the lead.

Goalkeeper Alyssa Klebasko had a quiet day behind her strong defense, though shined in her chances. Klebasko made two saves on three Huskies shots to earn her fifth shutout of the season.

The Terps now look ahead to the Big Ten tournament with a rematch against Ohio State on Thursday in Bloomington, Indiana. With a mediocre 5-3 conference slate and prior loss to the Buckeyes, it’s a chance for Big Ten redemption.

“I’m hoping [the win] brings a lot of momentum while we go into the Big Ten tournament,” Josie Hollamon said. “I’m really glad that we get to come out there and hopefully go on a little bit of a revenge tour.”

It hasn’t lost more than seven games in a regular season since 1989 — coach Missy Meharg’s second year at the helm. The Terps failed to advance in the NCAA tournament last season for the first time since 2015, and earned just one Big Ten tournament victory in a shootout against Iowa.

The 2024 season was not up to the team’s standard, and the Terps are struggling to regain form once again. Even with that, they are second in the Big Ten and are looking to turn their offensive flashes into results in the postseason.

A wide open Big Ten

Game to game, it’s impossible to know what version of Maryland shows up.

The Terps held a lead for 30 minutes against the nation’s No. 2 team, but failed to score after the opening minute against other opponents.

With all the parity in the Big Ten this season, it may not matter what seed the Terps earn. Either way, to avoid another early and heartbreaking defeat, Maryland needs to turn its flashes of greatness into 60 minutes of good hockey.

[Watching film with Maryland football’s Cam Rice: pass rush, preparation and technique]

“I’ve watched back the Virginia game, and we played some really good hockey, so that’s what I anticipate,” Meharg said. “I know we will form a defensive front.”

Outside of Northwestern dominating in conference play, the margin between the rest of the teams in the Big Ten is very slim. No. 17 Indiana and No. 10 Iowa started slow but have jumped in the standings, while No. 14 Michigan, No. 18 Rutgers and Ohio State have all lost three games in a row.

For Maryland, the question becomes if the offense will hold them back enough to lose the game, or if they can make enough timely plays to win.

“It’s just instilling belief that we can put the ball in the back of the net and that we can win games by them scoring goals rather than us playing really good defense,” defender Josie Hollamon said.

In two ranked victories on the road against Iowa and Rutgers — two possible first-round matchups — the offense did just enough. Two goals in a five-minute span to take the lead against the Hawkeyes and an overtime goal to break a scoreless tie against the Scarlet Knights proved the offense can break through.

The issue is only having one top 10 win in six tries, and consistently playing down to its competition. Losses to Ohio State and an Indiana team that was struggling despite scoring within the first minute highlight that.

In the postseason, lapses like that can cost Maryland its season.

A tough schedule can help

An argument can be made that the Terps are ready to break through.

[Recruiting Roundup: Michael Locksley isn’t worried about Zion Elee’s South Carolina visit]

Maryland proved in its matchups against teams such as then-No. 1 Northwestern and No. 4 Virginia that it can hang with top teams for large portions of a game. The Terps outplayed the Wildcats in the first half and held the Cavaliers scoreless for 50 minutes while their offense generated good looks.

The Terps took four shots in the third quarter on Tuesday. They made several passes deep into the attacking circle that were lacking in previous games. But the goals didn’t come, as the nation’s top goalkeeper so far this season, Nilou Lempers, shut down the Terps and recorded six saves.

Maryland will not face as strong of a goalkeeper or defensive unit throughout the Big Ten tournament outside of a possible finals matchup against Northwestern, and every opponent they face will be a familiar one.

With such a young roster, the Terps are growing through mistakes against top competition in many players’ first collegiate seasons. And if they advance far enough in the NCAA tournament, they might have the chance to avenge previous non-conference losses against top-10 teams such as Princeton, Virginia or Duke.

The final regular season matchup against Northeastern on Sunday is the Terps’ last chance to correct their mistakes before it can cost them their season.

Tuesday brought another top 10 matchup between former ACC rivals as Maryland traveled south for an unusual midweek contest against No. 4-ranked Virginia — arguably its toughest challenge yet.

The match remained tied for 50 minutes as the Terps’ offense showed signs of life. But they failed to score, and two fourth quarter Virginia goals was the difference in the 2-0 loss at University Hall Turf Field.

“I think we had a number of very good opportunities,” coach Missy Meharg said. “We’ll continue to work on the goal scoring piece and more poise.”

For Maryland (9-7), third quarters have been the killer against top-ranked teams. Against Princeton and Northwestern, the Terps let the game slip away after halftime. They looked to change that on Tuesday, attempting four shots in the third period, but the inability to find the net proved costly.

[Takeaways from Maryland men’s basketball’s 82-81 exhibition win over UMBC]

Virginia (13-1) broke out in the fourth quarter. After struggling to generate consistent shot attempts, the Cavaliers scored two goals in a two-minute span early in the period to put the game out of reach.

For head coach Ole Keusgen, who took over at Virginia in 2023, this is his best team yet. After back-to-back 14-win seasons in 2023 and 2024, the Cavaliers entered Tuesday 12-1, with their only loss coming to then-No. 3 North Carolina.

Virginia’s resume speaks for itself. It’s secured three top-10 wins and allowed just six goals, never allowing more than two in a game. Junior goalkeeper Nilou Lempers has allowed a nation-low .49 goals per game and posted an .88 save percentage.

Maryland has a similar identity but hasn’t played to the level of Virginia. The Terps’ defense has allowed only 15 goals in as many games, but ranks last in the Big Ten in scoring. With Virginia coming in on a three-game winning streak and outscoring its opponents a combined 8-0 in those games, the Cavaliers presented a significant challenge for the Terps.

[Steve Blake’s jersey sits in the Maryland rafters. His son wants to continue that legacy.]

Through three quarters, it looked like an even matchup. Maryland goalie Alyssa Klebasko and Lempers proved their status as top goalkeepers in the nation.

Early in the third quarter, Virginia looked to have a wide open shot right next to the goal. It worked the ball deep into the attacking circle as Klebasko was on the other side opposite the net. But she recovered quickly, forcing a missed shot that looked like it was guaranteed to give the Cavaliers the lead.

“[Klebasko is] exceptional,” Meharg said. “She had a couple of flurries there that really kept us in it for a period of time.”

Maryland’s offense looked to generate that momentum into offense. It attempted four shots in the third period, but the inability to score outshined the positive moments. Lempers never let up in Virginia’s goal. She recorded six saves and pitched her fourth consecutive shutout — and ninth of the season.

The Cavaliers attempted four shots of their own in the third period and broke through in the fourth to hand Maryland its seventh loss of the season.

The Terps now have just one game left in the regular season to fix the offensive inconsistencies that have held them back all season if they want to make a deep postseason run.

“I want to say we’ll keep training [shots],” Meharg said. “We’ll keep putting more pressure in training sessions. Maybe you get 10, 11 shots, we can put a couple in… I’m not as interested in the number of stats as the number of outcomes.”

No. 11 Maryland field hockey and No. 17 Rutgers both came into Friday’s crucial Big Ten matchup ranked, and both were desperate for a win. The Terps and Scarlet Knights each dropped their match last weekend and sat next to each other in the Big Ten standings.

The match went into overtime after a sluggish regulation period by both offenses. But unlike the previous weekend against Indiana, Maryland’s offense came through. Freshman Maia Adamson scored her first career goal as Maryland defeated Rutgers, 1-0, at the Bauer Track and Field Complex for a resume-boosting win.

“It’s really about putting the quarters together,” coach Missy Meharg said. “We found a way in the third and fourth quarter, played really good hockey and then, of course, a beautiful finish to take the game.”

Meharg has believed in her team all season despite the struggles. After dropping two hard-fought home games last weekend, she said she felt the team was playing below its ceiling and had to accept that to improve from good to great.

[Buzz Williams tempers expectations at Maryland men’s basketball’s media day]

Maryland looked far from great once again, and the offensive struggles were apparent throughout. The Terps were held scoreless in regulation and struggled to generate shot attempts and corners all game — shooting eight shots and earning only three corners.

Maryland had earned just one corner all game when the clock ran out in regulation. But junior Maci Bradford worked into the Scarlet Knights’ attacking circle as time expired, earning the Terps a chance to win the game.

Maryland put up two shots in its first chance and generated a wide-open shot attempt off the entry pass on the following corner. Still, Rutgers goalie Emily Nicholls proved to be an elite goalie, saving all three attempts.

The freshman came into Friday with the second-highest save percentage in the Big Ten. She recorded four saves on the day on Maryland’s five shots on goal, but her offense did her no favors, as Maryland’s defense played possibly its best game of the season.

The defense shut down the Scarlet Knights’ leading scorer, Olivia Fratecelli. The junior was held to zero shot attempts, a continued trend as the Terps shut down opposing star players.

[Maryland women’s soccer improved in 2025, but is still far from a threat in the Big Ten]

Crucial late game stops highlighted the Terps’ stellar defensive performance. They stopped multiple breakaway chances from Rutgers. Senior Ericka Morris-Adams made two huge plays — her sliding tackle in the third prevented a wide-open shot attempt, and her stick prevented a Scarlet Knights shot attempt in the attacking circle late in the fourth quarter.

Ericka Morris-Adams was definitely the [player of the game],” Meharg said. “She intercepted, communicated to tackle, she distributed [and] her ball speed was incredible.”

It wasn’t just the late-game stops — it was an entire game of dominance by Maryland’s defense. Anchored by reigning Big Ten defensive player of the year Josie Hollamon and the rest of the back line, they made goalie Alyssa Klebasko’s game easy. She recorded no saves as Rutgers failed to attempt a shot on goal.

In overtime, it was much of the same. The Scarlet Knights pushed the ball down the field, but the Terps’ defense wouldn’t budge. They made enough stops for the offense to redeem themselves for their poor performance throughout — and Bradford didn’t let another golden opportunity pass by.

The junior controlled the ball deep in the corner and swung the pass to Annemijn Klijnhout. Adamson received the entry deep, and as the ball bounced off her stick, she forced Nicholls to step up. With the open net, Adamson buried the game-winning goal to clinch a huge victory for the Terps.

“Over time, it’s ruthless,” Meharg said. “What I love is that we’ve had three of them, and we’ve grown in each one.”

Knopert — a Netherlands native — accomplished that with Maryland field hockey as one of the team’s seven international players. The Terps’ roster also includes players from Australia, Germany and England, creating a sense of belonging among a diverse group.

“It’s a big change, but a very positive change,” sophomore midfielder Ella Fehr said. “Coming from club hockey in Germany, it feels so much more professional … especially at Maryland.”

Field hockey is a major spectacle overseas. Much like tailgating in the U.S., fans gather with friends and family to eat, drink and watch the game before hosting firework shows at night.

The experience overseas also intensely prepares players. Girls play with and against men and women outside of their age group.

“My teammates would be women with kids … and I’m still in high school,” senior defender Ericka Morris-Adams said. “That obviously elevates your game … especially when you play with the boys. It’s a different level.”

[Poor offensive play continues to hold Maryland field hockey back]

But the transition to the U.S. isn’t easy, especially beyond the field. Knopert noted that many players have their parents on the sideline, while she must FaceTime her parents to speak with them. She said it’s “nothing compared to having them in person.”

Childhood pictures, home flags and decorated lockers are common practices for international players. It can help them appreciate how far they’ve come to live out childhood dreams.

Adjusting to the time zone difference and getting acclimated to a new environment and culture is challenging when trying to stay in touch with her parents, but makes family trips more memorable, sophomore midfielder Annemijn Klijnhout said. She highlighted that parents’ trips are “extra special” and that their visits bring an added focus and motivation on the field.

“When you’re in the game and you do the anthem, you look to your parents and I think they’re also really proud to see you play here,” Klijnhout said.

Players are also forced to adjust to different play and communication styles in the U.S. They can’t always say phrases the way they want, but they still work meticulously to avoid language barrier issues.

The barriers can make for some lighthearted moments, too.

Americans know what it means when they are told to bring a speaker to practice. But Dutch players know it as a “music box” and don’t know what to carry with them, Klijnhout said.

[No. 1 Northwestern takes down No. 10 Maryland field hockey 2-1 in top-10 clash]

Another key difference is the pace, play style and tactics. Players go from smaller teams emphasizing collective attack strategies with a more give-and-go play style to fighting daily for a spot on a larger team, where coaches cater to players’ individual strengths.

“It’s such a big transition,” coach Missy Meharg said. “By the middle of the end of October, they’re starting to get their beat, and they’re starting to get the vibe and the cultural difference.”

Maryland is entering that part of its season right now, with its international players growing more comfortable. Families of domestic players also take international players under their wings and help bring the team closer, according to Morris-Adams.

The special bond among the seven international players comes through regular check-ins in their group chat, making sure everybody is prepared to travel and supporting each other through the shared journey of moving across the world to pursue the sport they love.

They share handshakes, cultural desserts and meals and teach their language to each other for fun as they build lifelong connections.

Maryland welcomes all cultures and inspires a sense of opportunity and belonging. Meharg has rostered many international players in the past, which makes players feel she is considerate of their lives and cares about the person as much as the player.

“She’s had many, many international players, so I feel like she’s very understanding of what it’s like for us, and she puts that into consideration,” Morris-Adams said. “She’s one of the most emotional coaches I think I’ve experienced … [She] really cares about you and your life.”

Those problems finally cost them, as they dropped their last two games against unranked Indiana and No. 1 Northwestern.

The Terps held first-quarter leads in both games, but they were unable to score after the sixth minute in each loss.

It’s not that the Terps’ offense isn’t getting opportunities. Maryland outshot its opponent in both matches — a theme this season — as its defense has provided the offense with plenty of scoring chances.

The Terps’ second-half struggles may actually come from scoring early, Meharg said. A young team scoring first and quickly could have led to Maryland making more mistakes.

“We’re looking at a team that is struggling to find shots and then struggling to find goals off of field goal shots,” Meharg said. “We are really young, but we need to not be young.”

After scoring in the first 30 seconds against the Hoosiers, Maryland failed to convert again in regulation and could not end the contest in overtime with a goal.

[No. 1 Northwestern takes down No. 10 Maryland field hockey 2-1 in top-10 clash]

Players were visibly frustrated, as several of them slammed their equipment down on the sideline.

They were rejuvenated against No. 1 Northwestern, outplaying the Wildcats in the first half. Maryland outshot the Wildcats 7-1 before halftime and held a clear pace advantage.

But in a similar fashion to Friday’s loss to the Hoosiers, Maryland stalled in the second half. Northwestern controlled the rest of the game, dominating the Terps en route to a 2-1 win.

“It comes down to trying to overcommunicate, like really early communication,” Meharg said. “There’s communication by language, [and] by vision and having eye contact. We can get pre-scan eye contact two passes prior, we’re going to make sure we’re not in each other’s space.

Part of those communication errors likely fall on Maryland’s inexperience. With many graduating players from last year’s team, Meharg was tasked with overhauling her roster — especially the front line.

[In shocking upset, No. 10 Maryland field hockey loses to Indiana 2-1 in shootouts]

Eleven new players entered the fold this offseason, including several attackers.

Junior Maci Bradford is the only upperclassman who has played significant minutes this season. Aside from her, the Terps rely mostly on freshmen and a handful of sophomores to compete against one of the most difficult schedules in the country.

Those underclassmen are who Maryland will need to rely on for the remainder of the season.

“I think it’s a matter of all of us,” Meharg said. “There’s 26 players and six staff that stand together on the sideline.

“I think the 32 of us are really eager to figure that out, and to be like how every time we put on training gear, every time we put on a Maryland jersey, that we compete to our potential and our ceiling.”

With two ranked matchups remaining on the schedule and postseason play approaching, the Terps are running out of time to solve their issues.

The third quarter struggles that have haunted the Terps popped up again. Northwestern scored two goals in the frame to take the lead and shut the Maryland (8-6, 4-3 Big Ten) offense down en route to a 2-1 victory.

The Wildcats (13-1, 5-0 Big Ten) entered Sunday as the clear top team in the Big Ten – and arguably the country.

“I said do not measure this game by the outcome, measure it by the content and the level of competition against the very best team,” head coach Missy Meharg said.

Coach Tracey Fuchs has led her program to four straight national championship game appearances, including two titles in 2021 and 2024. The Wildcats have scored nearly twice as many goals as the Terps, with 45 compared to 23, and have only allowed six goals.Along the way, they have posted a five-game winning streak over Maryland. A lot of teams have struggled against Northwestern, but even when the Terps have had elite teams over the past five years, they have been unable to vanquish the Wildcats.

[In shocking upset, No. 10 Maryland field hockey loses to Indiana 2-1 in shootouts]

Despite both teams repping a top-10 ranking, it looked like a lopsided matchup coming in. Maryland’s struggling offense was now faced with the best defense in the country.

But playing the No. 1 team in the country, seemed to heighten the Terps’ urgency. Maryland looked like the better team through thirty minutes of play, highlighted by Djuna Eikelboom’s first-quarter goal. The Terps recorded seven first half shots, and controlled possession for most of the half.

Their defense displayed its usual dominance, as it held the potent Northwestern offense to zero shots on goal in the first half.

But Northwestern’s urgency was evident after the break. Maddie Zimmer earned the first penalty shot against the Terps this season — and scored the game tying goal.

[Maryland field hockey’s second half offense has been elite this season]

The Wildcats established themselves in the third quarter, flipping the game into their style. For a team that has rarely trailed this season, Northwestern looked comfortable in the final 17 minutes with the lead.

“They pressed up their press and got tighter,” Meharg said. “At that juncture, you’ve got to reshape around deeper but also throw a bit more balls.”

Maryland only attempted one fourth quarter shot — even with an extra attacker after replacing Klebasko with five and a half minutes to go. The Wildcats extended their winning streak over Maryland to six games and reminded the Big Ten that they’re still the class of the conference.

“This team could win the national championship. We [put] ourselves in a place to measure that in the first and second quarter and parts of the fourth, we’re in a good place to play the best,” Meharg said.