Penn Shell-Shocked by Terps' Potent Offense
by Clare Lochary | Lacrosse Magazine Online Staff | Game Blog
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The first rule of Project Mayhem: don't ask questions. |
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Led by senior Caitlyn McFadden's five goals and three assists, top-seeded Maryland stormed to a 15-10 win over the eighth-seeded Penn in the NCAA Division I women's lacrosse quarterfinals Saturday.
The victory secured Maryland’s second final four berth in
as many years, and its 18th trip to the semifinals overall. The
Terps briefly trailed 1-0 in the first half, but rallied back on
the strength of their powerful attack and built a lead that a
persistent Penn team could not overcome.
“We knew that when we had the ball, we had to make something
happen. We knew we had to take care of it,” said Maryland
head coach Cathy Reese.
The Terps worked the crease expertly, beating Penn goalie Emily
Szelest (seven saves) on several one-on-one goals. As they have all
season, McFadden, Sarah Mollison (5g, 1a) and Karri Ellen Johnson
(4g) made up the heart of Maryland’s attack, which had one of
its best days of the year, scoring 15 goals on 23 shots.
“I’m always looking to draw players and if any of my
teammates are open, I’ll hit them. All seven of us are trying
to work with each other and get it done,” said Mollison.
“We did focus a lot on shooting in practice.”
Penn, usually noted for its stiff defense, couldn’t keep up
with the Terps’ nifty cuts and slick crease moves.
Offensively, the Quakers struggled to control their shots and went
0-for-5 on free positions.
“They played a great game and today, they showed why they
were the number one seed,” said Penn head coach Karin Brower
Corbett. “Our defense was not what it usually is. They were a
great team but we weren’t at our best.”
With the loss to Maryland, Penn was eliminated from the
tournament and will miss the final four after three consecutive
trips. It marks the first season the Quakers’ senior class,
including leading scorer Emma Spiro (4g) and Tewaaraton finalist
Ali DeLuca (3g, 3a), has not played on Memorial Day weekend.
“It’s been a great run, and I’m sorry to see
them go,” said Brower Corbett of her seniors.
Maryland will head to Towson on Friday to play unseeded Syracuse,
which defeated James Madison, 7-3, in Harrisonburg, Va., this
afternoon. After last year’s upset loss to North Carolina at
Johnny Unitas Stadium, this season’s Terps are older and
wiser about the postseason.
“We really needed to make our focus this season one game at
a time. It’s been a real push for us to do that, to not look
ahead,” said Reese.
