Strong Second Half Pushes #1 Terps Past #14 Wildcats

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Using a 12-2 scoring advantage in the second half, the No. 1 Maryland women's lacrosse team (9-0, 1-0 B1G) opened Big Ten play with a 17-4 win over No. 14 Northwestern (4-5, 0-1) Thursday evening.

“I like to focus on little things with this team, and I think we played well all over the field tonight,” head coach Cathy Reese said. “Both goalies did an amazing job. I'm proud that the team worked hard to play a really great, complete game tonight.”

The Terps were led by senior captains Taylor Cummings and Alice Mercer. Cummings scored five goals and added six ground balls, seven draw controls and four caused turnovers. Mercer anchored the Maryland defense, which allowed just four goals, while posting an assist, three ground balls and four caused turnovers.

Sophomore attacker Megan Whittle scored four goals while junior midfielder Zoe Stukenberg had a hat trick. Freshman midfielder Caroline Steele added two goals while junior defender Morgan Torggler, sophomore midfielder Kacie Longo and freshman midfielder Jen Giles each scored once.

Freshman goalie Megan Taylor had a strong outing in cage, posting 11 saves and two ground balls.

Maryland started the game on a 4-0 run, started just 54 seconds into the half by Whittle. Steele added a goal assisted by Mercer before Cummings and Stukenberg scored within 1:30 of each other.

After nearly 20 minutes of scoreless play, Kaleigh Craig scored for Northwestern at 7:38. Stukenberg scored her second goal of the night at 5:22 on a free position. The Wildcats added a goal with 28 seconds left as Maryland took a 5-2 lead into halftime.

Cummings scored twice to start the second half. After Northwestern added a goal at 23:57, the Terps went on a six-goal streak over the next eight minutes, taking a 13-3 lead. The Wildcats were able to score once more, but Maryland finished the game with four straight goals to win, 17-4.

The Terps have outscored opponents 92-30 at home this season. Reese is now 100-2 in home games in her Maryland career.

The Terps have a quick turnaround as they host undefeated Cornell Saturday at 7 p.m. The game will be streamed live on BTN Plus.

– Maryland –

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