Locked-In Sterling, Second-Half Run Push Maryland Past James Madison

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Maryland head coach Cathy Reese said that when Emily Sterling gets in the zone, she’s one of the best goalies in the nation.

Sterling was locked in against No. 3 James Madison, and she helped pave the way for an 11-8 victory on a blustery day in front of an overflow crowd at Maryland’s Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex on Sunday. 

Tenth-ranked Maryland had lost three consecutive games to James Madison, including twice last season — one of which ended the Terrapins’ run in the NCAA tournament. This time, the Terrapins were dominant and handed the Dukes (6-1) their first loss of the season.

“It feels really good, but I think what’s most important for us is we started to put a complete game together,” said Sterling, who finished with 14 saves. “We played very strong on the offensive end and the defensive end. That’s what we’re looking to do: get better each day.”

Libby May led Maryland (7-1) with four goals, while Eloise Clevenger and Hannah Leubecker scored two goals apiece. The Terrapins took over the game with an 8-1 late run in the second half.

James Madison led 6-5 on a goal by Isabella Peterson with 9:42 left in the third quarter. That was the last time the Dukes would hold the lead. 

James Madison tried to slow the game and was patient in setting the offense, but the Terrapins’ defense was aggressive and forced several key turnovers.

Maryland tied the score again at 6 on a goal by Shaylan Ahearn with 3:39 remaining in the third quarter. Almost a minute later, Clevenger gave Maryland its first lead at 7-6. 

The Terrapins then extended the lead to 8-6 on a goal by May heading into the final quarter.

“It was a great win,” May said. “We lost to James Madison three times in the past two years, so it definitely feels really good. We have a lot to look forward to and a lot to work on, but we did come out on top today. James Madison is a great opponent.”

Maryland didn’t slow down. A goal by Leubecker on an assist by Clevenger gave the Terps a 9-6 lead just two minutes into the final quarter. 

Maryland continued to dominate, and Hailey Russo provided a four-goal cushion with 12:40 left, capping an 8-1 run.

Peterson finally stopped the momentum and pulled James Madison to within 10-7 with 11:52 remaining. It was her 25th goal of the season. May answered again and scored her fourth goal with 4:14 left to give Maryland an 11-7 lead.

“Overall, a great win for our team,” Reese said. “I’m proud of our effort. James Madison is a great team. We lost two games to them last year by a goal. Our fifth-year seniors have never beaten them. It was really a special win for them.”

The Dukes would not go quietly. Peterson pulled them to within three goals with 3:21 remaining, but they would not get any closer, as Maryland forced another turnover and ran out the clock.

Peterson led James Madison with four goals and has 26 on the year. The Dukes had averaged 18 goals per game, but James Madison coach Shelley Klaes expected a defensive battle.

“Both teams are really strong defensively,” Klaes said. “With the bunker-man and our zone, both defenses are difficult to penetrate.  Both teams have good goaltending. I did expect the game to go like this. We didn’t shoot well today.”

The Dukes did control most of the first half. 

James Madison’s Savannah Derey and Leubecker traded goals 20 seconds apart, and the Dukes led 5-3 with 8:42 left in the second quarter

The Terrapins began to take advantage of James Madison in transition. A goal by May cut the lead to 5-4 with 6:09 remaining. Sterling had several point-blank saves to keep them close. 

Maryland aggressively rode the Dukes, forced a turnover, and May tied the score at 5 at the break. Each team finished with 13 shots and nine turnovers in the first half.

However, the Terps were the dominant team over the final two quarters. 

“This was going to be a battle; we knew it was,” Reese said. “This was a team we knew we’d be challenged by because they have so many people that can score.”