COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Outshot 27-7 for the contest, the American University field hockey team dropped a 6-1 decision to eighth-ranked Maryland Sunday afternoon.

With the loss, the Eagles fell to 4-2 on the season, while the Terrapins improved to 3-3 overall.

Maryland was on the attack for much of the first half, getting its first goal of the game just under 15 minutes into the contest when it converted on a penalty corner. The Terps added two more goals in the next six minutes, as they outshot the Eagles, 14-1, in the opening half.

The Eagles were able to get more offensive opportunities after the intermission, finally ending their scoring drought with 20:53 on the clock. Junior Grace Parke took a feed from classmate Natalie Konerth in front of the cage to put American on the board. However, Maryland responded by scoring on a penalty corner less than two minutes later to push its lead back to three.

The Terps scored two more goals in the half on penalty corners, including one with no time remaining on the clock, to earn the 6-1 win.

In addition to having a significant shot advantage, Maryland was able to capitalize on its penalty corner opportunities, scoring five of its goals off penalty corners. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Kate McBeath had a strong effort against the Terps, registering 13 saves.

"I didn't think we were competing very well in the first half," said American head coach Steve Jennings. "We had moments of it, but I thought in general, we just fell back and wanted to play defensively, and that wasn't doing us any favors.

"While the scoreline didn't overly improve in the second half, we were a lot more competitive. We had a lot of opportunities to try to capitalize and play our style of game. I'm proud of what we tried to do in the second half. I think we just need to try to stay on the front field more."

The Eagles open their 2015 Patriot League slate next Saturday, Sept. 19, when they visit Lehigh for an 11 a.m. contest.

"I think any time you play excellent teams like Maryland, it helps you get used to a different pace of the game," said Jennings. "It does wonders for us to try to take our game to another level. We'll hopefully have a really good week of training and be ready to go for Lehigh."