Season Opener Dominance
Maryland’s field hockey squad, ranked No. 13, opened its season with a convincing 3‑0 victory over Drexel on Thursday night. The win not only preserved the Terps’ perfect record against the Dragons but also marked their 12th consecutive triumph over the opponent, underscoring a long‑standing edge in the series.
Freshman midfielder Aida Ierubino opened the scoring early, slipping past defenders before beating goalie Halle Geiger with a low shot that found the back of the net. Veteran Babs van Hest added her first collegiate goal shortly after, while Maci Bradford contributed to the early lead, as the Terps fired 27 shots on goal throughout the contest.
Defensively, Maryland’s blend of zonal and man‑to‑man schemes limited Drexel to a single sustained possession, allowing goalkeepers Ryleigh Osborne and the back line to preserve a clean sheet. The disciplined defensive approach complemented the team’s fast‑paced transitions and short player shifts that kept the legs fresh for the entire game.
Key Performances
While stars such as two‑time CAA Player of the Year Valentine Van Hellemont and attacker Pili Lemoine were held scoreless, their influence was evident in the team’s overall rhythm. Freshman Aida Ierubino’s breakout goal and Babs van Hest’s first collegiate tally highlighted the depth of talent on the roster, and the contributions of players like Maddie Vasilios, Missy Meharg and Ryleigh Osborne rounded out a balanced performance.