With an undefeated record on the line and Senior Day in the back of every players’ mind, it can be difficult for a team to stay locked in. But for No. 1 Maryland women’s lacrosse on Saturday, that was anything but the case.
The Terps took control of the game early and never let go, as eight different players scored while combining for a season-high 43 shots. Despite a slow second half, Maryland held a comfortable lead the entire contest to sail to a 18-11 victory at SECU Stadium.
The quickstrike was
extremely deadly for the Terps early. They scored three of their first four goals within 30 seconds of winning the draw control, with each goal coming from a different player.
Maryland’s fifth goal came with five minutes left in the opening frame, as Kori Edmondson dodged through four Scarlet Knight defenders and buried a shot from close to grow Maryland’s lead to four. Edmondson ended the contest with two goals and no assists, her third-lowest point total of the season.
Keeley Block then scored five minutes into the second quarter to mark the Terps’ seventh different goalscorer on the day. Just 20 minutes into the game, every offensive starter had a goal.
In the draw circle, the Terps appeared to meet their match in senior Katie Buck. Their game-long duel was evenly-matched throughout the contest, as Rutgers came out on top, 19-12, in draw controls. Draw specialist Kayla Gilmore was replaced by Leah Miller during the second quarter due to a stick infraction.
Maryland continued to share the love with relative ease, as Maisy Clevenger netted just her third goal of the season. The Terps’ variety of goalscorers largely came from precision passing, as they finished with five assists and six turnovers in the first half alone.
After a disappointing showing on Sunday, JJ Suriano put in one of her most consistent performances of 2026. The junior got pulled in the fourth quarter after logging 10 saves and a .526 save percentage on 21 shots on goal.
On the flipside, Rutgers had a difficult time in the cage. Starting goalkeeper Stella Quilty was pulled 12 minutes into the bout after allowing six goals on seven shots. Her replacement, Simone Koryszewski, was much more sufficient between the posts, making 11 saves while allowing 12 goals.
Maryland’s nine-goal advantage was its largest halftime lead of the season.
Not to be denied, Rutgers came out hot in the third quarter, netting two unanswered goals in the first two minutes of the second half. This was an uncharacteristic lapse for the Terps, who didn’t record a single shot in the first seven minutes of the second half.
Despite fourth quarter struggles plaguing Maryland all season long, it was able to go blow for blow against the Scarlet Knights in the final frame. The two squads both scored four in the fourth quarter while unloading eight shots apiece.
Three things to know
1. All or nothing. With 11 of Maryland’s 35 roster departing after this season, this season forces head coach Cathy Reese to make the most of her talented roster while she still has the pieces. With four graduating players scoring on Saturday, the Terps will need to pick up new pieces in the offseason to replace their deepest attacking group in years.
2. No days off. With their win over Rutgers, the Terps have now played their last unranked opponent of the regular season. Maryland will need to maintain its top form to continue its unranked streak against three dangerous conference opponents.
“I don’t care where you’re ranked. I don’t care what you’ve done,” Reese said on Thursday. “I care that Maryland shows up to play on Saturday and we’re, you know, trying to be better than we were last game.”
3. Lauren LaPointe delivers. Fresh off receiving midseason All-American honors, the junior still found a way to score her fourth-straight hat trick despite an incredibly crowded list of goalscorers. Saturday marked the 10th game in a row where LaPointe logged at least four points.
