With the recent reemergence of the attack, Maryland's sturdy defense has been flying under the radar lately. This week's blog gives some love to the Terp defense.
Meet Your Defensive Four
Maryland boasts three new starters on defense this season including junior Melissa Diepold and freshmen Shanna Brady and Megan Douty. Junior Iliana Sanza is the lone returner for the Terps in the back in 2012.
The Terps rank eighth nationally in scoring defense. The Terps are allowing a mere 7.70 goals per game heading into Saturday's match at James Madison. Another striking number is the total number of goals allowed by Maryland in the first half of games this season. The Terrapin defense steps on the field ready to play, surrendering an average of 3.2 scores in the initial 30 minutes of matches.
Senior goalie Brittany Dipper played out of her mind in the first half against Stony Brook, notching a career-best nine saves in the stanza. She is currently sixth nationally in goals against average (7.64).
Click here for a feature story on Melissa Diepold and her climb from bench player to starter. Keeping with the defensive theme, you can find this week's 12 Questions in 2012 with defender Megan Douty here.
Schwarzmann Stymies One of Nation's Top Scorers
Heading into last Tuesday's contest, Stony Brook's Demmianne Cook was second in the nation in scoring, averaging 4.14 goals per game.
Enter Katie Schwarzmann.
The Sykesville, Md., product kept Cook in check all game long, holding the junior midfielder to zero goals and zero assists on the day. Cook was able to muster only four shots the entire game.
Schwarzmann, one of four Maryland players on the Tewaaraton Watch List, put together a solid defensive effort last week as well. She tallied four draw controls and three caused turnovers against No. 14 Boston College and tacked on a draw and a groundball against Richmond.
On the Road Again
Maryland wrapped its longest homestand of the season Tuesday. The Terps went 3-1 and outscored opponents 64-36 during the 12-day span.
After heading to James Madison this Saturday, the Terps return for a brief home stint against Towson next Tuesday before hitting the road again for a rugged three-game road trip to No. 8 Penn, No. 3 North Carolina and No. 14 Princeton.
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