Oct. 7, 2007

Gametracker

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The 14th-ranked Boston University field hockey team (10-3) will face its toughest task yet on Sunday (Oct. 7) when it visits second-ranked and undefeated Maryland (13-0) at the Terrapins' Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex. The game, which starts at 2 p.m., will serve as the first half of an NCAA/International doubleheader. The U.S. National Team will take on Japan at 4 p.m.

Maryland, which posted a 4-2 road victory against No. 12 Duke on Saturday, enters Sunday's game on a 17-game win streak. The two-time defending national champion ranks second in the nation in goals-against average (0.66) and boasts the fourth-ranked offense (3.97).

Freshman Katie O'Donnell has made an immediate impact on the national scene for the Terrapins and currently leads all Division I players in points with 40 on 13 goals and 14 assists. Sophomore Nicole Muracco and junior Susie Rowe have tallied 25 and 21 points, respectively.

The Terriers are coming off a 4-1 conference victory over Fairfield on Friday, as senior Sarah Shute recorded the fourth hat trick of her career. Shute and classmate Pam Spuehler have combined for 49 points this season with Shute recording a team-best 11 goals and Spuehler leading the team in assists with eight.

BU and Maryland have met six previous times with the Terrapins holding a 5-1 advantage in the series. The teams last faced off in the 2004 season opener, where the Terrapins posted a 2-0 victory.

Sunday's game will feature two of the winningest active coaches in the game and, remarkably, both Sally Starr and Missy Meharg enter the contest with 340 career victories apiece.