<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=175EFf_0wF9Mu0I00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=175EFf_0wF9Mu0I00" width="1200" height="800" ><figcaption>Ruby Klawans/Daily. Buy this photo.</figcaption></figure>Through thirteen games this season, the No. 7 Michigan field hockey had yet to be shut out in a game, until Sunday against No. 8 Maryland.Due to offensive struggles, the Wolverines (11-2 overall, 4-1 Big Ten) failed to come out strong against the Terrapins (10-4, 5-2) and ultimately suffered their first shutout of the 2024 season in a 2-0 loss Sunday. While Michigan seemed to turn the game around after its slow start in the first quarter, it never managed to overcome the persistent defensive play of Maryland.This weekend Michigan had road games against not only one but two Big Ten teams, first beating Penn State 6-0 Friday before facing Maryland on Sunday. But this success on Friday didn’t translate on Sunday as a lack of ability to retain possession, in the first quarter especially, slowed the Wolverines at the start.“We came out slow and we had to make an adjustment at halftime which we did,” Michigan coach Marcia Pankratz said. “I think it is a lesson learned that we got to play sixty minutes against a top team like that.”Even before halftime, when those adjustments were made, the Wolverines started penetrating the Terrapins’ defense, but they were not able to execute around the goal with multiple failed penalty corners. Michigan’s offense has dominated corners this season and their corner efficiency has led them to be one of the highest-scoring teams in the nation – but Sunday was different as they went 0-4 on corners.Along with not being able to capitalize on their own corner opportunities, Maryland’s two goals came from their only two corner attempts in the whole game. The Terrapins have had recent struggles with converting on corners, but with a combination of poor defensive execution and luck on a bounce they pierced the Wolverines’ defense.“So one was just a fluky tip that happened to go in,” said Pankratz. “The other one they just simply executed well. I think our corner defense has been quite stellar all season and I still feel good about it.”When Michigan finally got a corner opportunity in the third quarter it was easily shut down by midfielder Hope Rose, a standout player for Maryland this season. The Wolverines’ leading goal-scorer redshirt junior forward Abby Tamer was the one to shoot, but she barely even had time to make contact with the ball before it was knocked away by Rose. The fourth quarter played out relatively similar to the third quarter with Michigan dominating possession but not being able to finish offensive pushes. At one point, the Wolverines had two shots on goal in a row but they were both shut down by Maryland goalkeeper Alyssa Keblasko. This sequence of plays, along with defender Josie Hollamon’s dagger goal capped off Michigan’s loss against the Terrapins.“We’re just looking at tomorrow, doing a debrief, and then on to Northwestern,” coach Marcia Pankratz said. “The Big Ten is the best conference in the nation so anybody can win any game and we know that and we’re going to get after the next one.”Sunday’s defeat was filled with sloppy play and poor execution that has been absent from the Wolverines’ season to this point. Michigan’s offense is usually its driving force, but on Sunday, it was shut down by Maryland.</div></body>

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Michigan offense held scoreless for first time this season in 2-0 loss to Maryland

Through thirteen games this season, the No. 7 Michigan field hockey had yet to be shut out in a game, until Sunday against No. 8 Maryland. Due to offensive struggles, the Wolverines (11-2 overall, 4-1 Big Ten) failed to come out strong against the Terrapins (10-4, 5-2) and ultimately suffered their first shutout of the 2024 season in a 2-0 loss Sunday. While Michigan seemed to turn the game around after its slow start in the first quarter, it never managed to overcome the persistent defensive play of Maryland.