University of Richmond
%vs. No. 1 Maryland
No. 19 Field Hockey Stopped By No. 1 Maryland In NCAA Tournament
11/12/2005 | Field Hockey
Nov. 12, 2005
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The No. 19 ranked University of Richmond field hockey team played a solid first half against No. 1 Maryland, but the Terrapins were able to pull away for a 4-0 victory in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday.
The top-ranked Terrapins (20-2) scored just 1:13 into the game on a back-handed goal by Tiffany Marsh, but the Spiders buckled down and played on even terms with Maryland for the next 26 minutes, allowing just two shots on goal, while creating several scoring opportunities in the Terrapins' end of the field.
"We had a good game plan and in the first half we definitely executed it," Richmond head coach Ange Bradley said. "We started off back on our heels a little bit and they were able to get that early goal, but once we settled in we really played a solid first half."
Maryland did make it 2-0 with 7:57 left in the first half when it was awarded a penalty corner and Lauren Powley scored off a rebound after a diving save by Richmond keeper Michelle Swartz.
That's how the score remained until the 53rd minute, when Emily Traycinski was set up at the far post and Janneke van Leeuwen found her with a pass across the front of the goal to make it 3-0. Trycinski struck again nine minutes later for her second goal of the game.
"In the second half I thought Maryland really stepped it up," Bradley said.
Swartz made 11 saves in goal for the Spiders, who finished the season at 16-6.
"We had an outstanding season, we really grew together as a team," Bradley said. "I'm really proud of this team.
Saturday's setback marked the end of a great four-year run for the senior class, which was the first class recruited at Richmond by Bradley. The group was a part of four Atlantic 10 titles and four NCAA Tournament appearances, among many other honors and awards.
"The tenure of this group of seniors produced amazing results," Bradley said. "I couldn't be more proud of them. They left some pretty big footprints to follow."
