WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – Led by Zoe Stukenberg's six points, the No. 1 Maryland women's lacrosse team defeated William & Mary, 15-5, in the Terps' season opener Sunday afternoon.
The sophomore midfielder scored a hat trick and added three assists as Maryland picked up the win. Junior midfielder Taylor Cummings tallied four goals, nine draw controls and four caused turnovers.
“I think the team started out really strong today,” said head coach Cathy Reese. “Taylor did a great job off the draw, and we were able to see a lot of girls contribute on offense. William & Mary put up a fight, and we're happy to have our first win.”
The Terrapins started the contest with eight unanswered goals. Cummings scored the first goal of the 2015 season just 25 seconds into the game. Freshman attacker Megan Whittle added two goals, both assisted by Stukenberg, in under a minute as Maryland took a 3-0 lead in under 1:30.
Stukenberg notched the next two goals, the first off a free position shot. Cummings, Kristen Lamon and Kelly McPartland each scored before the Tribe was able to get on the board with three straight goals. The Terps were able to regroup and end the half with goals from Lamon, Stukenberg and Cummings to take an 11-3 lead into the break.
In a lower-scoring second half, Maryland once again found the goal early as senior attack Brooke Griffin scored at 29:21. Shanna Brady and Cummings also notched goals in the next 10 minutes. William & Mary was able to pick up two more before Casey Pepperman finished the game's scoring at 14:46.
In her first start as a Terp, graduate goalkeeper Alex Fitzpatrick made four saves and allowed three goals in 30 minutes. Sophomore Emily Kift played the second half, making two saves and allowing two goals.
Maryland outshot the Tribe, 25-14, and picked up a 22-21 ground ball advantage. The Terps were 3-for-6 on free position shots and took a 13-9 lead in draw controls.
The Terrapins play their first home game Saturday, Feb. 21, when Maryland hosts No. 2 North Carolina at noon at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex. The game will be streamed on BTN Plus, and tickets are available here.
-Maryland-
