Maryland Takes On Virginia In Elite Eight

Sunday, November 12

College Park, MD

1:30 PM

Maryland

Virginia

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11/11/2023 1:00:00 PM | Field Hockey

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#4 Maryland (17-5) vs. Virginia (13-6)

November 12, 2023

Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex

1:30 PM

Big Ten Plus

COLLEGE PARK, MD - No. 4 Maryland field hockey will face Virginia in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, November 12.

The Terps clinched the 4-seed and a host position after a strong performance in the Big Ten Tournament. Maryland defeated six-seed Iowa and two-seed Rutgers to make it to the tournament final. They fell just shy to then-No. 1 Northwestern in double overtime. Maryland took down Old Dominion, 3-0, in the opening round of the tournament on Friday.

The Terps are seeking their ninth national championship, eighth under Missy Meharg. The Terps had made it to 21 Final Fours in program history, four after joining the Big Ten in 2014.

Fans attending Sunday's games should park in Lot 11B, which will be free to the public. All other lots surrounding the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex will be pay-to-park or are restricted.

series history

Competition with these two programs dates back to 1982. The Terps hold a 46-22-2 all-time lead over Virginia. Head coach Missy Meharg has led the Terps to a 40-12 record over the Cavaliers.
The Terps are 19-8-1 against Virginia in College Park. They lead the Cavaliers 18-4 in postseason play.
The last time these programs met was on September 18, 2023 in Charlottesville. The Terps earned a 2-1 victory over the then-No. 6 Cavaliers
The most recent postseason match between these squads was during the NCAA First Round in 2021. Maryland earned a 2-1 victory over Virginia in College Park.

Hope Rose competing against Virginia in NCAA Tournament

Hope Rose competing against Virginia in NCAA First Round in College Park (Nov. 12, 2021)

OuR road to the dance

No. 4 Maryland finished the regular season 14-4 overall and 6-2 in conference play. The earned a three-seed in the Big Ten Tournament and made it to the final for the first time since 2018.
Maryland has outscored its opponents 54-25 this year.
The Terps rank fourth in the Big Ten in goals per game average (2.85) and points per game average (6.86).
Maryland has allowed only four first quarter goals through 22 games and outscored teams 17-4 in the first fifteen minutes. 12 of those 17 goals happened in the first six minutes of each game.
The Terps are 16-2 in games where they score first and 13-1 when they lead at halftime.
Maryland collected eight wins over ranked opponents this season, including six Big Ten games.

Forward/Midfielder Sammy Popper (16)NCAA Tournament First Round: Maryland vs. Old Dominion at Maryland Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex in College Park, MD on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. Chris Lyons/ Maryland Athletics

Sammy Popper celebrating after second goal against Old Dominion (Nov. 10, 2023)

our path to a title

Maryland clinched the four-seed and host location following their strong performance at the Big Ten Tournament.
The Terps opened the weekend with a match against Old Dominion, who secured their bid to the tournament after upsetting Liberty in the A10 Final.
Maryland shutout the Monarchs, 3-0, in the opening round of the tournament. Virginia took down Saint Joseph's, 2-1, in the following game in College Park.
Maryland will face Virginia in the second round contest. The winner will travel to Chapel Hill, N.C. for the Final Four.

Midfielder Ashlyn Carr (23) Defender Logan Anderson (24)NCAA Tournament First Round: Maryland vs. Old Dominion at Maryland Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex in College Park, MD on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. Chris Lyons/ Maryland Athletics

Maryland Terrapins during national anthem before game with Old Dominion (Nov. 10, 2023)

B1G Performances

Margot Lawn owns a team-high in points with 30, from nine goals and 12 assists. She tallied one goal and two assists against Old Dominion on Friday, marking her third four-point game of the season.
Sammy Popper added the first two goals against the Monarchs on Friday, adding to her season total of ten. Both goals came from hard strikes on penalty corners, beating the keeper each time. Popper leads the team in game-winning goals with five.
Alyssa Klebasko earned her fifth shutout of the year against Old Dominion in the first round. She posted six saves throughout the game to keep a comfortable lead for the Terps.
Seven members of Maryland's No. 4 ranked field hockey program received All-Big Ten honors, as announced by the conference. Hope Rose and Rayne Wright earned All-Big Ten First Team. Alyssa Klebasko, Margot Lawn, Sammy Popper and Maura Verleg were named to the All-Big Ten Second Team. Logan Anderson earned the sportsmanship award.
The Terps utilize the depth of their bench as they average 15 players participating per match. 13 players have tallied at least one point on the year, including nine goal scorers.

Margot Lawn celebrating after goal against Old Dominion (Nov. 10, 2023)

Best of the Best

Missy Meharg returns for her 36th season as head coach. A nine-time National Coach of the Year recipient, Meharg brings an unprecedented level of consistency and excellence to the Maryland field hockey program.
Meharg became the third coach in Division I history to reach 600 wins in 2021. She is not shy of championships as she has led the Terps to seven national titles, including five in seven years, 12 conference tournament crowns, 15 conference regular season titles and 20 appearances in the NCAA Semifinals round, including 12 in the NCAA Finals.
She is supported by associate head coach Scott Tupper (third season), assistant coach Kasey Tapman Asper (third season) and goalie specialist Natalie Hunter Cyrus (first season).