No. 11 Maryland Field Hockey Falls to No. 4 Virginia in Tight Contest
Maryland field hockey faced a tough road test against No. 4 Virginia on Tuesday night, ultimately falling 2-0 despite a strong defensive performance and numerous scoring opportunities. The Terrapins now prepare to close out the regular season at home against Northeastern on November 2nd.
The match, a renewal of an old ACC rivalry, remained incredibly even until the final minutes, when the Cavaliers capitalized on a pair of goals. Maryland fought valiantly, creating several penalty corner opportunities in the closing moments, but Virginia’s defense held firm.
First Half Stalemate
The first three quarters saw both teams battling for control, with neither able to break the deadlock. Maryland goalkeeper Alyssa Klebasko proved instrumental in keeping the game scoreless, making a series of crucial saves throughout the first half. Klebasko stopped a UVA penalty corner attempt in the 14th minute and another in the 18th, demonstrating her agility and positioning.
Offensively, Happy Kuhne led the Terrapins with consistent pressure, recording the team’s first shot in the 10th minute. However, the Cavaliers’ defense remained resilient, blocking several Maryland attacks. Both teams tallied four shots in the scoreless third quarter.
Cavaliers Pull Ahead in Fourth Quarter
Virginia broke the tie in the 51st minute with a goal from Riley Savage, giving the Cavaliers a 1-0 lead. Just over a minute later, Caroline Nemec extended Virginia’s advantage to 2-0 with her third goal of the 2025 season.
Despite the setback, Maryland continued to push for a goal, earning multiple penalty corners. However, UVA’s Nilou Lempers thwarted consecutive attempts from Maci Bradford in the 55th and 56th minutes, solidifying the Cavaliers’ lead. Jordyn Hollamon also had a shot blocked on a corner in the 58th minute.
Missy Meharg Reflects on the Game
Following the match, Maryland head coach Missy Meharg acknowledged the team’s strong performance but emphasized the need to improve their finishing. “I think we had a number of very good opportunities. We’ll continue to work on the goal-scoring piece,” she stated. Meharg also praised the team’s defensive pressure, noting, “Our press was good. It put us in a position to have good counter-attack looks.” She further acknowledged Virginia’s speed, stating, “Virginia’s a very fast team.” Meharg highlighted Klebasko’s outstanding performance, saying, “Klebasko was exceptional. She had a couple flurries of saves there that kept us in it.”
Looking Ahead
Maryland will return to College Park to face Northeastern on November 2nd at 11 AM, with the game broadcast on B1G+. This final regular season match presents an opportunity for the Terrapins to finish strong and build momentum heading into the postseason.
