No. 2 Maryland Field Hockey Stays Perfect With 3-0 Shutout of Rutgers
By Brian Hradsky
The No. 2 Maryland Terrapins field hockey team continued its perfect start to the 2026 season Friday afternoon, defeating the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 3-0 at the Maryland Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex in College Park. Maryland improved to 9-0 overall and 2-0 in Big Ten play, reaching 9-0 for the 10th time in program history.
Maryland controlled much of the afternoon, finishing with a 19-9 advantage in shots and an 8-2 edge in penalty corners. Goalkeeper Alyssa Klebasko stopped all six Rutgers shots on goal, while Djuna Eikelboom scored twice and Francisca Eschoyez added another goal as the Terrapins recorded their sixth shutout of the season.
The victory was Maryland’s fifth consecutive win over Rutgers and continued an outstanding defensive start for head coach Missy Meharg’s team. Through nine games, Maryland has outscored its opponents 30-4, combining a dangerous attack with a defense that has consistently limited scoring opportunities.
Terps apply pressure early
Maryland did not score in the opening quarter, but the Terrapins immediately established themselves in Rutgers territory. Maryland attempted five shots in the first 15 minutes compared with only one for Rutgers and generated three penalty corners.
Babs van Hest had one of Maryland’s better early opportunities, but Rutgers defender Samantha Arnold made a defensive save. Francisca Eschoyez also sent an attempt wide, while Jordyn Hollamon came inches from opening the scoring when her shot hit the post with two minutes remaining in the quarter.
Rutgers’ Laura Loycke produced the Scarlet Knights’ lone shot of the opening period, forcing Klebasko into her first save. The senior goalkeeper handled the opportunity and helped Maryland finish the first quarter scoreless despite Rutgers’ attempt to weather the early pressure.
Eikelboom breaks through
Maryland finally converted its territorial advantage at the 21:25 mark of the second quarter.
Aida Ierubino set up Eikelboom, who scored her first goal of the season to give Maryland a 1-0 advantage. It was an important breakthrough after Rutgers had managed to survive Maryland’s early collection of shots and penalty corners.
Rutgers attempted to answer, but Maryland’s defense continued to keep the Scarlet Knights off the scoreboard. Klebasko made two saves during the second quarter as Maryland carried its 1-0 lead into halftime.
The first half demonstrated the balance that has made Maryland so difficult to beat this season. The Terrapins did not need an offensive explosion to control the game. Their defense and goalkeeping allowed the offense time to find a breakthrough without having to chase the contest.
Eschoyez doubles the lead
Maryland began creating more separation during the third quarter.
The Terrapins generated six shots during the period while holding Rutgers to two. Maryland also earned three penalty corners in the quarter, continuing to put pressure on the Scarlet Knights’ defensive unit.
That pressure eventually resulted in another goal.
With only 24 seconds remaining in the third quarter, Eschoyez scored at 44:36 to extend Maryland’s lead to 2-0. Maci Bradford and van Hest were credited with assists on the goal.
The goal was Eschoyez’s team-leading seventh of the season, giving Maryland some breathing room heading into the final 15 minutes.
Bradford’s assist continued a strong stretch for the senior. She entered the Rutgers game after scoring the game-winning goal in Maryland’s 1-0 victory over No. 4 Wake Forest on Sept. 20, a performance that helped her earn Solomon Eye Terp of the Week honors.
Eikelboom finishes it
Rutgers attempted to generate more offense in the fourth quarter and recorded four shots, its highest total in any quarter of the game. Maryland’s defense remained composed, however, and Klebasko stopped both Rutgers attempts that reached the cage.
Maryland then effectively put the game away at 53:37.
Eikelboom scored her second goal of the afternoon, this time unassisted, extending the lead to 3-0. After entering the afternoon without a goal this season, Eikelboom left the field with two.
The Terrapins finished with six shots in the fourth quarter and never allowed Rutgers to make the game uncomfortable down the stretch.
When the final horn sounded, Maryland had another convincing Big Ten victory and another shutout.
Klebasko continues outstanding start
While Maryland’s three goals provided the offensive highlights, Klebasko once again played an important role in the victory.
The senior finished with six saves on six shots on goal, preserving the shutout whenever Rutgers managed to break through Maryland’s defense. Rutgers goalkeeper Emily Nicholls made four saves at the opposite end.
Klebasko had already been coming off one of her strongest performances of the season. Against No. 4 Wake Forest five days earlier, she recorded six saves in a 1-0 Maryland victory and earned her 19th career shutout.
Maryland has now recorded six shutouts through nine games. Rutgers became the latest opponent unable to solve a Terrapins defense that has surrendered only four goals all season.
Maryland wins the numbers battle
The final statistics reflected Maryland’s control.
The Terrapins held a 19-9 advantage in total shots and placed seven attempts on goal. Rutgers put six of its nine shots on target, but Klebasko stopped all six. Maryland also generated eight penalty corners compared with only two for Rutgers.
Maryland’s offensive production was also spread throughout the lineup. Eikelboom scored twice, Eschoyez added her seventh goal, and Ierubino, Bradford and van Hest contributed assists.
The Terrapins did not depend on one player to generate their offense, something that has been a theme throughout their unbeaten start. Entering the Rutgers matchup, Maryland had already received goals from 11 different players.
Another milestone for Maryland
A 9-0 start is hardly routine, even for a Maryland program with one of the strongest histories in college field hockey.
This is the 10th time in program history that Maryland has opened a season 9-0. The Terrapins also improved to 2-0 in Big Ten competition for the eighth time since joining the conference in 2014.
Maryland also extended its dominance in the series with Rutgers. The Terrapins have won five consecutive meetings and now own a 39-5-1 all-time advantage over the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers has never won a road game at Maryland.
Rutgers dropped to 4-5 overall and 0-1 in conference play. All five of the Scarlet Knights’ losses this season have come against nationally ranked opponents.
For Maryland, the victory represented another step forward in a season that is quickly becoming one of the program’s strongest starts in recent years.
MSB Take
Maryland is doing much more than simply winning games right now. The Terrapins are controlling games with defense, depth and patience, and the 3-0 victory over Rutgers was another example.
Eikelboom’s breakout two-goal performance gives Maryland another potential scoring threat, while Eschoyez continues to produce consistently in the attacking end. Bradford and van Hest remain involved in creating goals, and Klebasko gives the Terrapins an experienced goalkeeper capable of erasing the limited opportunities that get through the defense.
The most impressive number may still be four goals allowed in nine games. Maryland does not need to score four or five times every afternoon because opponents have found it extremely difficult to score at all.
At 9-0 and ranked No. 2 nationally, the Terrapins have established themselves as one of the teams to watch in college field hockey. The Rutgers victory was not a dramatic comeback or a last-second escape. Maryland took control, gradually built its advantage and closed out another opponent without allowing a goal.
That kind of consistency is exactly what Maryland will need as the schedule gets tougher and the Big Ten race develops.
