The Virginia field hockey team looks to enact some revenge Sunday at 2 p.m. when it hosts No. 1 Maryland at University Hall Turf Field. The Cavs lost twice last year to the Terps, who went on to win the national championship.
Coming off a 6-1 tromping of the William & Mary Tribe Wednesday night, Virginia (4-3, 0-1 ACC) faces a Maryland team (7-1, 0-1) hungry to bounce back from its first loss in 30 games: a defeat at the hands of No. 6 Wake Forest. Although no longer undefeated, the Terps remain a force to be reckoned with, returning everyone from last year's title-winning squad.
Maryland coach Missy Meharg said she has been careful not to let her players get complacent as reigning champs.
"We've talked a lot about that," Meharg said. "I think it would be silly not to. Expectation and complacency can creep in, and anyone in sports will tell you those are your natural enemies."
Meharg said complacency played a role in the loss to Wake.
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Leading the Maryland offensive attack are All-Americans Rachel Hiskins, Carla Tagliente, Caroline Walter and Keli Smith. Hiskins leads the team in both points (33) and goals (13), while Tagliente became the Terrapins' all-time points leader with three against the Deacons.
Seniors Molly Kaufman and Lindsay Gorewitz lead a talented and experienced defense. Junior goalkeeper Ashley Hohnstine has held opponents to less than two goals per game. The Terps have more goals (54) than shots allowed (52).
The Maryland defense will have to contain Virginia senior Lorraine Vizzuso, who moved into seventh place on the all-time Cavalier scoring list with two goals against the Tribe Wednesday. The Cavs bolted out to a 5-0 halftime lead with a barrage of four goals in seven minutes, but let up somewhat after halftime.
"In the first half, we came out strong and did some good things," Virginia coach Jessica Wilk said. "In the second half, we had a little bit of a lapse, but it was a step in the right direction going into Maryland."
With the Terps looking to reassert themselves after Wednesday's loss and the Cavs trying to settle the score in this storied rivalry, Sunday's matchup looks to be a good one.
"They really don't have weaknesses on the field," Wilk said of the Terrapins. "But I like how we're coming together as a team and some of the things we're starting to do."
Facing the nation's No. 1 team does require a few adjustments, though.
"We're going to try to change it up a little bit for Maryland," Wilk said. "You're going to have to do something to take them out of their rhythm. But basically, we're just going to try to work on the simple things - taking care of the ball, being disciplined defensively"
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