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.

Frat Row is in flames as Maryland students celebrate

The scene here is chaotic.  Maryland students stormed the court, busted windows in the Comcast Center, and took to the streets setting late model American cars ablaze across this college town.

Police and firefighters can only watch as Maryland fans celebrate in their own unique way

Testudo has called a press conference in front of the White House to call for an end to the madness.

Testudo pleas for student unity, hugs a booster

Damage at the corner of Rte. 1 and Knox Rd is so severe it can only be described as a midieval scene.

The Cornerstone has been reduced to rubble and historic campus buildings have been changed forever

This blogger is in disbelief.  I cannot describe my emotions at a moment like this.  I can only think to say…

LETS GO MARYLAND!

An ugly win for the Terps is still a win, and yesterday’s 17-15 victory over #16 UNC was a big one. Da’Rel Scott was once again the rock, bringing consistency to the ground game with 129 yards and a TD on the ground. His effort kept the UNC offense off the field for most of the day. Chris Turner once again managed to accomplish the improbable in leading the Terps on another game winning drive. Turner improved to 5-0 against ranked teams in his career.

The defense bent but did not break. Moise Fokou led the team in tackles, and on a day where it was hard to get a good hold on anything he repeatedly came-up with drive stoppers, including three solo efforts. After UNC got out to a quick start off a Maryland safety and a FG drive within the first five minutes, the D settled down and kept the Terps in the game.

This game was up for grabs and the Terps took it. It’s tough to blame either side for their slip-ups considering that they were playing in a driving rain and on a swampy turf. An ugly win is a win, and we’ll take it.

As a side note, Josh Portis once again proved to be useless. I think he needs to stay on the bench for the rest of the year and learn the offense. The Terps are lucky that his fumble didn’t cost them the game.

Cheers Susie!

The Maryland field hockey squad closed out a 15-2 regular season with a 10-0 win over VCU on a senior night in which all five seniors scored.  The victory means Maryland finishes the regular season ranked #1.  They have the top seed in the ACC tournament and are on a roll going into the post-season.

Senior back Susie Rowe, a UK import, had two goals and two assists.  The performance led her to a second ACC Player of the Week award in 2008.

The game marked the end to a dominant regular season for the team in which they beat opponents by more than five goals a total of eight times.  The team also recorded eight shutouts.  They are getting it done on both sides of the field, and finished the year with six wins in a row.  Many of those wins came against big programs including ODU, Penn, and UNC.

The Terps should be playing home games in the NCAA tournament on 11/15 and 11/16. Cheers to Susie Rowe, Katie O’Donnell, and the rest of the team on a great season. We look forward to a run at the title.