Terps Tighten 'D,' Top No. 1 UNC for ACC Title
by Andy Krauss | Special to Lacrosse Magazine Online | Game Blog
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| Caitlin McFadden had two goals and two assists to earn ACC tournament MVP honors after Maryland's 10-5 win over UNC Sunday. |
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- The weather had consisted of dark clouds and rain all weekend in the College Park area. The same was predicted to hover over the ACC Women’s Lacrosse Championship Game between top-ranked North Carolina and third-ranked Maryland on Sunday afternoon.
However, almost on cue, the sun peeked out about 10 minutes before the opening draw, and shined all through Maryland’s 10-5 victory.
Along the way, the Terps used a smothering the Tar Heels to
their lowest scoring output of the season.
Maryland jumped out of the box quickly and never looked back. By
the time tournament MVP Caitlyn McFadden scored her fourth point of
the day (two goals, two assists) with 14:32 left in the opening
half, the Terps had a 5-1 lead. Ten minutes later, Kristy Black
scored her second goal of the game to give Maryland a 6-1 halftime
lead.
North Carolina's one first-half goal was its lowest in a half this season.
The Tar Heels scored the second half’s first two goals and
tightened the game to 6-3 with 26:27 left, but Maryland’s
Laura Merrifield made an unbelievable individual effort, dodging
through UNC defenders to score at 23:12. The Terps rolled from
there.
The key to Maryland’s victory was its sensational defense.
Two weeks ago, the Terps gave up 13 goals to these same Tar Heels
in a four-goal loss, but had only given up a total of 16 goals in
the three games between tilts with UNC in preparation for the gem
in the title game.
“We’re helping out much more,” said
Maryland’s all-tournament defender Brittany Poist.
“We’re stepping out as one-on-one defenders and taking
responsibility. We’re also recognizing that in order to
be a good defense, you have to act as a unit. There is no time that
one defender is left out to dry. We are all working together.
Today, there was no letdown at any point with any part of our
defense.”
Maryland was also aided by magnificent play from goalkeeper
Brittany Dipper. The sophomore made a career-high 12 saves, seven
coming in the second half, including several early in the stanza as
the Heels inched closer.
“It was a great feeling,” said Dipper. “I had
a great week of practice this week. I went through the whole range
of emotions today. It was great to know that I could make a save
and could get it to my teammates so they could go down score. We
really fed off each other.”
Terps head coach Cathy Reese commended the defense, but was
concerned with the team's pace on offense. Maryland normally plays
a fast, transitional game, but was slowed down quite a bit
Sunday.
“We have to make sure that we’re playing to win each
game; we’re not playing not to lose it,” said Reese.
“In the second half, we turned the ball over eight times...
You can expect that we’re going to have an offense
that’s ready to score and create opportunities.”
Reese and UNC head coach Jenny Levy both knew this was a key game,
but also that there’s a long way to go in the season. These
two teams have now met four times in the last 13 months, with each
team taking two decisions. The Tar Heels dashed Maryland’s
undefeated dreams in the NCAA semifinals with an 8-7 upset.
Could they meet again at Johnny Unitas Stadium this Memorial Day weekend?
Levy didn't sound too concerned about that Sunday.
“I think if you get ahead of yourself and think right now of where you want to be on Memorial Day weekend, you’re going to come up short. It’s important that our team uses this loss to look at what we need to improve on and what went well. If that leads us to reunite with the Terps at some point, then so be it.”
