College Park, Md. - The No. 15 Old Dominion University field hockey team (9-6) defeated No. 1 University of Maryland (15-1) by a 3-2 final Sunday afternoon.
From the get go it was clear that this Old Dominion-Maryland meeting would be quite different than the previous meeting. Old Dominion received a penalty corner under a minute into the game, which was capped off by a Rosario Villagra goal (12th of the year). ODU would control the possession for half of the first session. Maryland would finally get going at the 15:34 mark when Shelby Sydnor scored her second of the year. The game was tied one all at the half.
ODU did not back off in the second half as Danielle Clutter would score with the feed coming from Katy Fuhrman at 50:31. Villagra scored her 13th goal of the year and fourth of the weekend off a putback. Maryland would control possession the last ten minutes and the game heated up quickly. UMD's Maxine Fluharty scored at 64:18 from Katie Gerzabek to cut the ODU lead to 3-2. People were standing up and cheering from both sides and there was a feeling in the crowd as if it was a 'Miracle on the Field' moment. The Terps would continue the pressure but seven key saves from ODU's goalkeeper Megan Hept would keep them from coming close.
With the win ODU has now won eight games in a row and have not lost since September. ODU would get outshot in this one 17-13, but both teams had four penalty corners. The Lady Monarchs received shots from seven different players. Natalie Hunter would receive her first loss of the year, while stopping six in net. ODU's Hept received her ninth win in net.
"We played with heart and determination," said ODU head coach Andrew Griffiths. "We attacked with confidence and speed, and we defended with consistency and toughness. Even when we were a player down at different times, we were resilient. It felt great to finish it off."
ODU 1-2=3
UMD 1-1=2
1:06 ODU Rosario Villagra (12)
15:34 UMD Shelby Sydnor (2)
50:31 ODU Danielle Clutter (3) from Katy Fuhrman
51:38 ODU Rosario Villagra (13)
64:18 UMD Maxine Fluharty (9) from Katie Gerzabek
Shots: ODU (13), Maryland (17)
Corners: ODU (4), Maryland (4)
Saves: ODU (7), Maryland (6)
Three stars:
#3 Star ODU GK Megan Hept
- Came up with 7 incredible saves to help ODU secure the 3-2 victory.
#2 Star ODU B Danielle Clutter
-Not only did she score ODU's second goal, Dani came up with some great defensive plays all day to keep Maryland from obtaining further scoring chances
#1 Star ODU F Rosario Villagra
-Scored the opening goal just 1 minute and 6 seconds into the game. Also got her 13th goal of the year and second of the game at 51:38. Provided offensive and defensive assistance all game long
*Old Dominion faces No. 2 Uconn and No. 3 North Carolina at home this Friday and Sunday at the L.R. Hill Sports Complex.
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**Last time ODU beat a No. 1-ranked team was in fact at Maryland last season 2-1 on August 31.