BLACKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Tech women's lacrosse team concluded its regular season schedule on Saturday afternoon at Thompson Field, as No. 2 Maryland lived up to its billing and handed the Hokies a 16-6 conference loss.

Senior Rachel Culp (Kent, Ohio), Tech's leading scorer on the year, again paced the Hokie attack with two goals and two assists on the afternoon, but Virginia Tech's record still dropped to 7-9 overall and 1-4 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Caitlyn Wier (So., Cockeysville, Md.) scored two goals in the match, while Liz Carpenter (So., Lewes, Del.) and Dylan Garner (So., Cornelius, N.C.) both added a goal for the Hokies.

Nine different Terrapins netted goals in the contest as Maryland finished out the regular season with a 15-0 overall record and clinched the top seed in the ACC with a 5-0 mark in conference play.

To open the match, the speedy Terrapins picked apart the Hokies' defense for four early goals, but a spirited Tech squad refused to give in. Culp put the Hokies on the board with an unassisted goal with 19 minutes minutes remaining in the first half before assisting Carpenter four minutes later to cut the Terp lead to 4-2.

Maryland scored again to push its lead to 5-2, but Culp answered with a free position goal shortly after and the Hokies trailed 5-3 with 13:22 remaining in the first half. However, back-to-back goals by Terrapin freshmen Kristy Black ended the Tech run and Maryland outscored Tech 4-1 to close out the half with an 11-4 lead.

Two more Terrapin goals to open the second frame all but sealed Tech's fate and the Hokies could get no closer than seven, even after consecutive goals by Wier and Garner. Maryland tacked on three more scores before the game ended with the final 16-6 tally.

Senior Kari Morrison (Springfield, Va.) made 13 saves in the loss.

For the first time in program history, Virginia Tech will serve as host for the 2009 ACC Women's Lacrosse Championships. The Tournament gets underway Thursday, Apr. 23, at 1:00 p.m., when the No. 4 seed faces the No. 5 seed. The second quarterfinal match is scheduled for 3:30, also on Thursday, while semifinal contests will take place on Friday, Apr. 24, at 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The championship match starts at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, Apr. 26.

* * * *

BLACKSBURG, Va. - The No. 2 women's lacrosse team got three goals apiece from an unanticipated duo in defender Karissa Taylor and freshman Kristy Black on its way to cap a perfect ACC regular season with a win at Virginia Tech, 16-6, on Saturday afternoon at Thompson Field.

Maryland (16-0, 5-0 ACC) provided little doubt as the Terps jumped out to a 4-0 lead courtesy of goals from Taylor, Karri Ellen Johnson, Caitlyn McFadden and Laura Merrifield. Virginia Tech picked up two quick goals after the Maryland run, but Taylor quickly nixed that rally with another Maryland goal at 13:43. Hokie standout Rachel Culp cut the lead to two before a pair of Black goals extended the score to 7-3.

Virginia Tech got back on the board at 5:47 but Maryland and its second-most prolific offense in the nation pulled away with four goals to end the half with a sturdy nine-goal lead.

Maryland opened the second stanza with two additional goals from Taylor and Brandi Jones. The Hokies added two to their tally before Maryland capped the game with three more scores to secure the win in resounding fashion.

"I was extremely pleased with our performance today," head coach Cathy Reese said. "We played well defensively, made some great saves and finished our shots. I thought it was a great way for us to head into the ACC tournament next weekend."

The Terps, the top seed in the ACC tournament, will take on the winner of No. 4 Virginia and No. 5 Virginia Tech at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 24, in Blacksburg, Va.

2009-04-18