Terps Shut Down Virginia to Reach ACC Final
from press release
BLACKSBURG, Va. – The No. 1 seeded
Maryland Terrapins took a 15-7 win over the fourth seed Virginia
Cavaliers in the semifinals of the ACC Women’s Lacrosse
Championship on Friday at Virginia Tech’s Thomson Field. The
Terps will advance to Sunday’s Championship Game to face the
winner of North Carolina and Duke, scheduled for later this
evening.
Second ranked Maryland improves to 17-0 with the win while ninth
ranked Virginia drops to 11-7 with the loss.
“Both teams played this whole game hard, there wasn’t
a lack of intensity out there today,” said Maryland head
coach Cathy Reese. “(Brittany) Dipper really stepped up for
us today. It’s tough to be a freshman goalkeeper, especially
in the ACC. We play against outstanding opponents and today she had
an outstanding game that really helped us to our success.
“
Maryland opened up a 5-1 lead in the first 15 minutes of the game
until Virginia was able to go on a 4-1 run to close the opening
period. At the break, the Terps held a 6-5 advantage. To open the
second half, Maryland went on a 3-0 run to extend the lead to 8-5.
The first two goals of the period came within nine seconds of each
other.
The Terrapin defense held tough over the final 20 minutes as
Virginia was only able to manage two goals while giving up six.
“The second half was a momentum changer for us,” added
Coach Reese. “The Maryland-Virginia game is always a
hard-fought game. We came out in the second half getting draw
controls and that gave us the momentum to get the win.”
Three Terrapin student-athletes scored three goals each, Caityln
McFadden, Laura Merrifeld and Brittany Jones. McFadden also notched
two assists to lead all point scorers with five.
Virginia was paced by Kaitlyn Duff who scored four goals. Jenny
Hauser was responsible for a goal and an assist.
Brittany Dipper earned the win in goal for Maryland, making 12
saves while allowing seven goals to improve to 12-0. Sara Hairfield
made six saves while allowing 15 goals to take the loss for
Virginia. She falls to 3-1 on the season.
The 2009 ACC Women’s Lacrosse Championship continues on
Sunday with the Championship game. Maryland will face the survivor
of Duke and North Carolina on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
