A furious second-half rally proved to be too much for the women's lacrosse team, as it fell 20-7 to No. 7 University of Maryland, College Park on Saturday. The loss drops the Bears to 1-2 on the season.
It was the second year in a row that the Terrapins (3-2) scored 20 or more goals against the Bears, having toppled Brown 21-6 in Providence last year.
In a back-and-forth first half, the Terrapins struck first, scoring two goals - including one off a behind-the-back shot - in the first minute and a half. Maryland increased its lead four minutes later on a goal by Acacia Walker to go up 3-0. It was the beginning of what would be a career day for Walker, who scored five goals, had two assists, won six draws and picked up four ground balls.
"I didn't really change anything," said Head Coach Keely McDonald '00 of Maryland's torrid start. "To score three goals is easy in lacrosse. We didn't change our mentality, we played just as strong."
The Bears cut the margin to two on the first career goal by Caitlin Wolff '08 with 17:55 left in the half.
The two teams continued to trade goals, with the Terps going up 4-1 before co-captain Kate Staley '06 responded with her fifth goal of the season at the 14:24 mark.
Maryland scored again to take a 5-2 lead, but the Bears brought it to one after a free-position shot from Amie Biros '07 and a score from Sarah Passano '05.
"The times when we had the ball, we did pretty well with it," said Jen Redd '07. "We just were not getting as many second-chance opportunities."
The Bears got a chance to tie the score after winning the ensuing draw, but Maryland forced a turnover and scored on a fast break at 14:32. Passano had one last shot before the end of the half, but it was saved by Maryland goalie Kirah Miles.
"It was back and forth there for a while," McDonald said. "We had a lot of chances to tie it at 5-5, but they just got the last goal."
One key to the Bears' first-half success was their ability to gain possessions off the draws, as they won eight of 11 in the opening period.
"They scored off fast-break transitions, and then we started getting draw controls and converting," Staley said. "We knew we could play with them. We were not intimidated. We put our minds to getting the job done."
The next 30 minutes proved to be all Maryland, as the Terps scored eight goals in the first 11 minutes and 14 for the half.
"They went on a run, they kept control of the draws and they moved the ball really quickly," Staley said.
The post-halftime surge was typical for a Terrapin team that has outscored opponents 42-20 in the second half this season.
"Maryland came out strong, and we were ready for them, but they got some quick goals in transition," McDonald said. "We need to make some adjustments, especially in our transition defense, to stop their fast break."
The Bears finally got their first goal of the second half from Redd to cut the lead to 14-5 with 13:34 left.
The Terrapins, however, poured in six more goals before Mimi De Tolla '08 and Redd scored in the closing seconds.
It was a homecoming of sorts for Redd and other Bruno players who hail from the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area.
"I grew up idolizing Maryland players because they were so dominant for the past decade," Redd said. "Playing against them was cool, but we felt equal to them."
The Bears were given a surprising boost in goal from Melissa King '08, who filled in for injured co-captain Julia Southard '05 to record 15 saves.
"Melissa stepped up and did a phenomenal job," McDonald said. "She was composed and confident. It was the most minutes she's seen in her college career, and her play in the cage really sparked our momentum on the field."
The Terrapins outshot the Bears 43-23 for the game and scooped up 37 ground balls to Bruno's 18. Maryland also did better on the draws in the second half, winning 12 out of 17 and did a good job forcing turnovers when Brown controlled the possession.
"Right after we got a draw control, they would double- and triple-team us, and we wouldn't be able to get a pass-off," Staley said.
The Bears have a chance to get back on the winning track this Wednesday when they take on Boston College (1-1).
"I tell the women everyday we want to get better every game," McDonald said. "We need to be coming out just as strong with the same mentality and sense of purpose. I would, (however,) like to see us getting those ground balls and working better into the flow of our attack."
"We came out in the first half and proved that we can play with any top-ranked team," Staley said. "We need to maintain the positive attitude we came out with in the first half. We aren't down. We aren't dwelling on the Maryland game. We are ready to move on."
