Even this clown is having trouble smiling today.

It’s one of those overcast Fall mornings in DC.  It’s an appropriate setting for a day of lamenting about what could have been.  Terps field hockey fans are feeling a little empty today.  That’s because Maryland lost a close game to UNC in the NCAA field hockey National Championship game yesterday.

This gamewas the field hockey equivalent of the Patriots losing the Super Bowl to the Giants after going undefeated through the regular season and playoffs.  The undefeated Terps led most of the game.  UNC tied the game at 2-2 by pulling their goalie, a desperation move that is much like the famed David Tyree Helmet Catch.  They won it on a late penalty corner shot.

The team has a lot to be proud of.  Maryland finished with 23 wins, the most in the history of the program.  Seniors Emma Thomas, Nicole Muracco, and Alexis Pappas will not be forgotten.  In addition to taking home many individual accolades, they led the most successful four year run in Terps history.  There is no shame in losing to UNC, who is the second most successful program out there.

Make no mistake, the Terps will back in this game next year, but it’ll be a long wait.  Missy Meharg and Odie will be back for revenge.  In the meantime, I’ll turn my attention to the “other” Maryland sports like basketball.

Maryland beat AU 6-1 and Drexel 5-0 in the first two rounds.   In the hunt for their seventh NCAA title, Maryland is looking to repeat as National Champions and pick-up their fourth title in five years.  The Terps also beat UVA a couple weeks ago to pick-up their eighth ACC Championship title.

Katie O’Donnell, Emma Thomas, and Nicole Muracco continue to lead the team on its march through the schedule.  The Terps will have to stop Princeton’s Kathleen Sharkey, who leads the team with 21 goals on the season including 6 game winners, in what should prove to be a tough match-up.  A bigger test will come out of the winner of the UVA vs UNC game.  Despite the fact that UVA is the higher seed, UNC seems better on paper to me, scoring about one goal per game more than UVA and allowing about 1/2 goal per game less than UVA.  They’re also playing what amounts to a home game on the campus of Wake Forest.

I’m going to predict a UMD vs UNC final in Winston-Salem.  Let’s hope enough of our fans travel there to make it at least somewhat neutral.  That game takes place Sunday at noon, and Shell Games will be following the tournament throughout the weekend.  GO TERPS!

Emma Thomas puts her body into it. That's why she's a winner.

For those of you that tune to Shell Games for all your Maryland field hockey news, here’s a quick update.  I successfully used bullets in my last post, so I’m going back to the well on that format:

• The Terps are 12-0 overall, 3-0 in the ACC, and still ranked #1 in the country.
• Since defeating #3 Wake Forest a couple Saturdays ago, the Terps have beaten#20 American U 3-0 and #3 UVA 3-1.
• Emma Thomas was named ACC Co-Player of the Week for notching 3 goals and an assist in the two big wins against AU and UVA.  Maryland’s press release stated that her goals came in big moments, and that she’s a P-T-Per.

You’re all caught up on field hockey.  Go Terps!

The 2008 NCAA Champion Maryland Field Hockey Team returns to defend its title.  Three of the eleven spots on the Preseason All-ACC Team are occupied by Terrapins.  Forward Katie O’Donnell ranked second in scoring and assists in the nation last year, and was the NCAA Offensive Player of the Year.   Katie is not only the best collegiate player in the country, she also has a well documented, fantastic smile.  She’s not the only one.  Backfielder Emma Thomas joined Maryland in mid-season 2008 and made an immediate impact, scoring 22 points in 16 games.  Midfielder Brianna Davies was a Third Team All-American last year, and returns to lead a shutdown midfield defense.  Ameliet Rischen is also key to successful D at midfield.  Ameliet returns for her senior year looking better than ever.

The Terps will miss team leaders Susie Rowe, who tied the team record for goals in a season last year, and Sarah Scholl, who was an offensive spark plug that also led the team in blogging.  However, the person most key to the team’s success, seven-time NCAA Coach of the Year Missy Meharg, does return for her 22nd year.  Last year marked the fifth championship the Terps have won over Meharg.  What can you say?  You can’t miss with Missy.

It’s easy to make bold predictions when you’re not the one that has to fulfill them, so I’m going to make one.  The Terrapins will successfully defend their National Championship.  Despite losing a few key players, the team returns with a lot of talent.  The Terps have balanced scoring and defense.  Just one look at the smile on their faces tells you they have what it takes.

Maryland Field Hockey Murderers Row

Katie O'Donnell has the smile of a champion.

Emma Thomas has the smile of a champion.

Brianna Davies has the smile of a champion.

Ameliet Rischen has the smile of an international supermodel.