Michigan State University
Maryland
Field Hockey Falls to No. 4 Maryland
9/28/2014 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
EAST LANSING, Mich. - No. 18 Michigan State fell 4-2 to No. 4 Maryland on Sunday afternoon in the second game of homecoming weekend. MSU is now 5-4 on the year and 1-2 in the Big Ten, while Maryland improved to 7-2 overall and 2-1 in the conference.
The Terrapins broke open a scoreless game after 29 minutes of even play, when Maxine Fluharty finished on a cross from the right side. Five minutes later, Maryland drew a penalty corner as time expired in the first half. After the shot was initially ruled too high, it was determined that it was deflected in front, giving the Terps a 2-0 lead heading into the break.
"Maryland got the goal right at the half to put them up two," said head coach Helen Knull. "It didn't feel like a 2-0 game, but it was. I thought we stayed in the game in the first half and then let them run away from us after that goal. There were a lot of positives from this weekend and we have the belief that we can play with anyone. That is a mind set that we have to use to keep propelling us forward."
Maryland struck quickly again in the second half, scoring two goals in two minutes, opening up a commanding 4-0 lead.
MSU got on the board in the 64th minute after Allie Ahern sent a long pass up the middle that found a streaking Abby Barker. Barker beat the keeper, scoring her team-leading ninth goal of the season.
The Spartans added one more on the final play of the game, after being awarded a penalty corner with no time remaining. Barker sent in a pass that was settled by Alli Helwig, who set up Jenni Smith for her first goal of the season.
"We all of the sudden played with fire and tenacity in those last six minutes and were looking up field," said Knull. "We sat on our heels for most of the second half. We have said since week one that we can?t get two goals behind before we start playing."
Michigan State starts its four game road trip next weekend with a pair of games in New Jersey, taking on Rutgers on Friday at 3 p.m. and Monmouth on Saturday at 1 p.m.
