COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Senior midfielder Taylor Cummings recorded a career-high five caused turnovers while adding four goals, two assists and four ground balls as the No. 1 Maryland women's lacrosse team defeated William & Mary, 19-7, Sunday afternoon.
“I'm glad we had the chance to play today,” head coach Cathy Reese said. “It was great to go out and compete, and William & Mary challenged us hard. I definitely think we saw some good things, but there's definitely room to improve.”
Junior midfielder Zoe Stukenberg also scored four goals while adding one assist. Sophomore attacker Megan Whittle tallied a hat trick while junior attacker Caroline Wannen notched one goal and three assists.
Whittle started the Terps' scoring just 58 seconds into the contest, tallying a free-position shot. Freshman attacker Caroline Steele scored the first of her two goals three minutes later, an incredible behind-the-back shot from Nadine Hadnagy.
After Maryland took a 5-1 lead, William & Mary scored three of the next four goals to pull within three, 7-4. Cummings scored three of the next four goals and Stukenberg added two as the Terps took a 12-4 lead into halftime.
Whittle started the scoring again in the second half. After two Tribe goals, the Terps rattled off four straight. Cummings scored off a Stukenberg assist before returning the favor and setting up the junior. Kelsey Cummings scored her first career goal as a Terp and All-American defender Alice Mercer notched her second career goal to put Maryland ahead, 17-6.
Junior Theo Kwas finished the scoring, tallying two goals in the last six minutes as the Terps took the 19-7 win.
Seven Terps received their first career starts, including Wannen, Steele, Morgan Torggler, Alex McKay, Julia Braig, Bryn Boucher and Emily Kift.
Kift and freshman Megan Taylor split time in the cage.
Maryland outshot the Tribe, 32-12, and held a 16-9 advantage in ground balls.
The Terps host Georgetown next Saturday, Feb. 20, at noon at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex. The game will be streamed live on BTN Plus.
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