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.

Great article in the Post today about how Maryland’s dominant field hockey team is fairly anonymous on not only the local sports landscape, but their own damn campus. I’m not sure what the exact problem is, but it could have something to do with the fact that it’s field hockey.

Seriously, though, the team is incredible. It’s not that they can’t lose. It’s just that they don’t. Katie O’Donnell is the sport’s top player and Missy Meharg is the top coach. She’s the Sasho Cirovski of underappreciated Maryland women’s sports program coaches.

Let me just take this opportunity to point out the voluminous field hockey coverage here at Shell Games. Why do we do it? Because we like girls care. It’s because we care.

Your 16-0, top-ranked, defending national champion Terps field hockey team closes out the regular season tomorrow with a big showdown at 15-0, #2 North Carolina.

One of these days, I gotta make it to a game.

(Photo credit: D.C. Sports Box)

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.

The 2008 Marlyand Field Hockey NCAA Champhionship Team!

Congratulations are in order for the Maryland field hockey squad!  The team won its sixth NCAA Chamionship on Sunday with a win over #2 Wake Forest.  Maryland entered the tournament as the #1 ranked team, and this weekend they proved they were the best in the country.

I began following this team in August through news updates, and early on I had the feeling the Terps were good enough to win it all.  The ACC is the best field hockey conference in the country, and the Terps had arguably the toughest schedule there was, so this was no cake walk.  Coach Missy Meharg did a great job of keeping this team focused on the ultimate goal.  Senior Sarah Scholl demonstrated the team’s high level of dedication when she wrote this statement in her blog after winning the ACC Championship:

That is what led us to the title; a determined commitment to doing all the small things in practice, in life, in games.

Senior Susie Rowe and sophomore Katie O’Donnell led the offense throughout the year. Rowe tied the team record for goals in a season during the championship game. We should all be proud that the University of Maryland produced this team of young leaders. I look forward to following another run at the title in 2009!

Best wishes to the seniors, and GO TERPS!