EVANSTON, Ill. – Using a balanced attack, the No. 1-seeded Maryland women's lacrosse team (18-0) defeated Rutgers (6-12), 19-9, Friday evening in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals. With the win, the Terps advanced to the finals Sunday.
 
“I think we did a great job on both sides of the ball tonight, especially in the first half,” head coach Cathy Reese said. “Rutgers did a great job of pushing back in the second half, but I was proud of the way we kept going. I'm happy we're still playing for a Big Ten championship.”
 
Senior midfielder Taylor Cummings (3G, 2A) and junior attacker Caroline Wannen (2G, 3A) led the Terps offensively with five points each. Junior midfielder Zoe Stukenberg, sophomore attacker Megan Whittle and sophomore attacker Taylor Hensh each scored hat tricks against the Scarlet Knights while freshman attacker Caroline Steele added two.
 
After Rutgers scored first, Maryland strung together six goals in the first 13 minutes. Cummings found Wannen across the crease for a goal at 25:55 and sophomore attacker Kacie Longo scored on a free-position shot just 23 seconds later. Stukenberg took advantage of an 8-meter and Steele bounced in a shot at 18:48. Cummings and Whittle each scored as Maryland led 6-1.
 
The Scarlet Knights added another goal before Whittle, Cummings and freshman midfielder Jen Giles all scored within 52 seconds of each other. Wannen added a goal at 9:16.
 
The Terps finished the half on a 7-1 run as Cummings, Whittle and Stukenberg all completed hat tricks. Wannen found Whittle in transition at 8:36. Stukenberg scored twice in the last two minutes as Maryland took a 17-3 lead into halftime.
 
With mostly reserve players for the Terps in the second half, Rutgers outscored Maryland 6-2. Hensh scored both of the Terrapins' goals in the half. The defense held the Scarlet Knights off the board in the last 5:52 as Maryland took the 19-9 win. The Terrapins defense as not allowed more than nine goals in any game this season.
Stukenberg set a new career high with five draw controls, including four straight to start the game. Senior defender Alice Mercer caused two turnovers to lead the defense.
 
The Terps finished the game 5-for-7 on free-position shots. Maryland held a 20-9 advantage in draw controls.
 
Freshman Megan Taylor and junior Emily Kift each made two saves in 30 minutes of play.
 
The Terps will face either No. 2-seed Penn State or No. 3-seed Northwestern in the Big Ten Tournament finals on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on BTN.