Northwestern University Athletics
Friday, November 4
College Park, Md.
3 p.m.
Northwestern
2
at
3
Maryland
'Cats Fall to Terrapins 3-2 in OT in Big Ten Tourney Semifinals
11/4/2016 5:05:00 PM | Field Hockey
Flens notches two goals for Northwestern
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – No. 12 Northwestern battled third-ranked Maryland into overtime in the Big Ten tournament for the second consecutive year, but the Terrapins scored 1:41 into the extra session to earn a 3-2 win in a semifinal round matchup Friday afternoon.
Maryland advances to Sunday's championship game against Penn State while Northwestern's record falls to 13-8.
Both teams took advantage of early penalty corner opportunities to get on the board.
Northwestern struck first when an initial shot by Dominique Masters was saved. The rebound came out near the top of the circle where Isabel Flens knocked the ball down out of the air then fired a blast over Sarah Bates' left shoulder to give the 'Cats a 1-0 lead at 6:30.
Maryland got the equalizer four minutes later when the Terrapins got a penalty corner goal of their own as Grace Balsdon scored at 10:25 to make it 1-1.
The Wildcats' capitalized on yet another corner attempt at 19:32 in regaining a 2-1 lead. Flens again had the goal-scoring honors, scoring her second of the game and 18th of the season.
Maryland kept the pressure on Northwestern as it earned five corners in the half but von der Luft and the Wildcats' defense stood tall to help the visitors take a one-goal lead into halftime.
The Terrapins maintained the possession edge throughout the opening minutes of the second half. A green card put Northwestern a player down just beyond the midway point of the period and Maryland converted almost instantly as Sophie Pelzer jammed home a goal to tie the match 2-2 at 53:48.
The game remained tied late into regulation when Northwestern was issued a five-minute yellow card leaving the Wildcats a player down.
The game eventually went into overtime where Maryland maintained a player advantage and Welma Luus scored on a rebound following an initial save by von der Luft 1:41 into the extra session to give the Terrapins the win.
Northwestern now will wait to find out if it earns an at-large berth to the NCAA tournament field. Sunday night's selection show begins at 9 a.m. Central time at NCAA.com.
Maryland advances to Sunday's championship game against Penn State while Northwestern's record falls to 13-8.
Both teams took advantage of early penalty corner opportunities to get on the board.
Northwestern struck first when an initial shot by Dominique Masters was saved. The rebound came out near the top of the circle where Isabel Flens knocked the ball down out of the air then fired a blast over Sarah Bates' left shoulder to give the 'Cats a 1-0 lead at 6:30.
Maryland got the equalizer four minutes later when the Terrapins got a penalty corner goal of their own as Grace Balsdon scored at 10:25 to make it 1-1.
The Wildcats' capitalized on yet another corner attempt at 19:32 in regaining a 2-1 lead. Flens again had the goal-scoring honors, scoring her second of the game and 18th of the season.
Maryland kept the pressure on Northwestern as it earned five corners in the half but von der Luft and the Wildcats' defense stood tall to help the visitors take a one-goal lead into halftime.
The Terrapins maintained the possession edge throughout the opening minutes of the second half. A green card put Northwestern a player down just beyond the midway point of the period and Maryland converted almost instantly as Sophie Pelzer jammed home a goal to tie the match 2-2 at 53:48.
The game remained tied late into regulation when Northwestern was issued a five-minute yellow card leaving the Wildcats a player down.
The game eventually went into overtime where Maryland maintained a player advantage and Welma Luus scored on a rebound following an initial save by von der Luft 1:41 into the extra session to give the Terrapins the win.
Northwestern now will wait to find out if it earns an at-large berth to the NCAA tournament field. Sunday night's selection show begins at 9 a.m. Central time at NCAA.com.
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