The American University field hockey team had won five games in a row heading into Sunday afternoon at Jacobs Field, but defending national champion Maryland registered four second-half scores to earn the 5-1 victory.

After Maryland (12-2) took a 1-0 advantage in the 13th minute of play on a Jill Witmer unassisted goal, Tatum Dyer responded for American (7-6) with a successful penalty stroke to knot the score at one. Dyer's strike came with just over five minutes remaining in the second half as she converted her third penalty corner of the weekend and sixth goal in her last four games.

But the third-ranked Terrapins proved to be too much in the second half, beginning play less than three minutes in with two scores in a 34-second span. Katie Gerzabek was credited with both goals as Maryland opened up a 3-1 lead. The Terps continued to pressure AU throughout the half, eventually knocking home two more insurance goals to set the final margin at 5-1.

Maryland controlled much of the action, outshooting American by a 25-7 margin over the 70 minutes. The Terps also held a 13-1 edge in penalty corners as AU goalkeeper Ashley Dalisera was tested on numerous occasions. She registered a career-high eight saves in 63-plus minutes before being replaced by Stephanie Burry.

The Eagles will look to regroup before a pair of contests next weekend. American will first travel to Lewisburg, Pa., on Saturday, October 22 for a Patriot League matchup against Bucknell at 12 p.m. The Eagles will then return home to face local-rival Georgetown at Jacobs Field on Sunday, October 23 at 1 p.m. Sunday's contest against the Hoyas will be Senior Day as AU's three senior student-athletes will be honored in a pre-game ceremony. Sunday's game will also be carried live on Eagles Vision TV.