Defense, Draws Key Terps First Title Since '01
by Andy Krauss | Special to Lacrosse Magazine Online
NCAA DIVISION I CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: MARYLAND 13,
NORTHWESTERN 11
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* Terps End One Dynasty, Restore Another |
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Maryland's Karri Ellen Johnson wins a draw against Northwestern's Danielle Spencer in the Terps' 13-11 victory in the NCAA Division I women's lacrosse championship game. Spencer stands six inches taller than Johnson. © John Strohsacker/LaxPhotos.com |
TOWSON, Md. -- Twenty-one minutes, 24 seconds
remained in the first half. It could have been considered over. An
NCAA Division I women's lacrosse championship game against
Northwesternthat was supposed to be a dream matchup had slipped
through Maryland’s fingers almost instantaneously.
But it wasn’t over.
The Terps, trailing 6-0, scored eight of the ensuing 10 goals to
tie the game 8-8 at halftime. They then settled in and outscored
Northwestern, 5-3 in the second stanza to claim their 10th national
title and first since 2001 with a 13-11 victory.
Yes, the Terps’ high-octane offense factored in the
comeback, but championships are won with defense. Maryland clamped
down and allowed just five goals in the game’s final 51:54,
slowing down the prolific Northwestern offense.
The Terps held the Wildcats’ biggest stars, Danielle Spencer
and Katrina Dowd, to a grand total of two goals -- no small feat,
considering they combined for 136 goals this season.
Perhaps more impressively, they held the Wildcats scoreless for nearly half the game (27:33) between the midpoints of each half. That stretch turned a five-goal Northwestern lead (8-3) into a two-goal Maryland lead (10-8).
A major factor in that defense was sophomore goalkeeper Brittany Dipper, who came of age in a span of minutes. During the game’s first 8:36, looking directly into the bright setting sun, she allowed six of Northwestern’s first eight shots to go in.
After that, Dipper buckled down. She allowed just two goals
during the remainder of the half, making five saves. Her more
impressive saves came against Dowd on point-blank
opportunities.
“Even though we were putting our shots early, we knew that
she’s a great goalie,” Spencer said.
“She’s not going to just quit. She definitely
gained confidence as the game went on.”
“She has been a player that has really stepped out this
season and really played great,” said Maryland head coach
Cathy Reese. “Those shots that were going in were one-on-one
opportunities, where she was looking into the sun.”
But Dipper had help. The majority of it came from senior
midfielder and Most Outstanding Player Caitlyn McFadden and junior
transfer defender Brittany Poist. They shared the responsibility of
covering Dowd.
“We were prepared defensively coming into this game to cover
Dowd,” said McFadden. "We got our momentum back and really
stepped it up today.”
Poist took responsibility for the early-game meltdown and just as
much pride in the turnaround.
“We were allowing shots to go right in front of the cage, which gave Dipper no chance,” she said. “We had to chip away, one at a time, and it was nothing to be negative about. I think the change was made all over.”
Reese made adjustments, but consensus was Maryland simply
settled down and played the defense that it has played all
year.
Dowd could sense it.
“I think it was just them settling into the game and sticking to their game plan,” she said. "They didn’t change much; they just stayed focused and played with heart.
“They were winning draw controls and the defense was
hanging tough.”
Sophomore attacker Kerri Ellen Johnson proficiency on the draw
took pressure off Poist and other defenders, namely seniors Karissa
Taylor and Abby Caso.
After the teams split the first six draws, Johnson won seven of
the next 11 to set the tone Maryland’s way. She won those
draws against Spencer, who stands six inches taller.
Spencer cited that as the turning point.
“She’s a very talented draw person, but I think it
came down to who came up with the ball in the end,” she said.
“Draw controls win games. They beat us on the
draw.”
Draw controls win games and defense wins championships. On
Sunday night, Maryland won both to reclaim the national
championship for the first time since 2001.
