No. 5 Maryland Terrapins (5-2, 1-0 B1G) vs. No. 2 Northwestern Wildcats (8-0, 2-0 B1G)
September 27, 2024
Maryland Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex
6:00 PM ET
B1G+
COLLEGE PARK, MD - No. 5 Maryland returns to action on Friday for a top-5 showdown with No. 2 Northwestern at 6 p.m. on Friday. Maryland heads into its third top-5 matchup of the season against Northwestern.
matchup preview
- The Terps's offense has been led by senior captain Kylee Niswonger, who has scored four goals in seven games, including her first career hat trick against Lock Haven.
- Preseason Big Ten Player to Watch, Josie Hollamon, has been a crucial part of Maryland's defense while also contributing on the offensive side scoring two goals this season.
- No. 2 Northwestern will travel to College Park undefeated at 8-0, coming off a dominant 5-0 win over No. 4 Iowa. Ashley Sessa led the Wildcats with two goals, and they followed that performance with a 1-0 victory over Indiana on the road.
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The 2024 Northwestern Wildcats return 19 players from last season, including five fifth-year players. Offensively, the team is powered by U.S. Women's National Team members Maddie Zimmer and Ashley Sessa, who have combined for 25 points this season. Sophomore Olivia Bent-Cole, a 2023 First Team All-Big Ten retuner, has added three goals to Northwestern's attack this season.
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Reigning Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year Annabel Skubisz has been dominant, recording seven shutouts in eight games, with a nation leading 0.971 save percentage and a 0.13 goals-against average.
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Northwestern has reached the national championship game in each of the previous three seasons, including a national title in 202. Last season, Northwestern lost to North Carolina in the national championship 2-1, in shootouts.
- Maryland is 19-15 all-time against Northwestern. The Terps would fall to the Wildcats last season in double overtime 1-0 in the Big Ten Championship.
No. 5 Maryland will head into their third top-5 matchup of the season against No. 2 Northwestern.
Last week's recap
- No. 5 Maryland heads into Friday's game after a 3-2 victory over No. 13 Rutgers in their conference opener.
- Hope Rose tied the game with her 39th career goal late in the third quarter, assisted by Vermont transfer Alina Gerke, who recorded her first assist as a Terp.
- Josie Hollamon put Maryland ahead with a penalty shot in the 52nd minute, and Kylee Niswonger added an insurance goal less than a minute later.
- Maryland extended their undefeated home streak against Rutgers to 24-0-1.
Ericka Morris-Adams has been a critical member of Maryland's defense that has only allowed 20 shots on goal this season.
A balanced attack
- This season, the Terps have showcased a diverse offensive arsenal, with 11 different players finding the back of the net.
- Maryland is tied with No. 5 Ohio State for the most unique goal scorers in the conference.
- Last season, Maryland ended the season with 10 different goal scorers.
- Leading the charge this season is a mix of veteran players and newcomers.
- Senior captain Kylee Niswonger leads the team with 8 points after scoring her first career hat trick on Sunday against Lock Haven.
- Transfers Alina Gerke and Fleur Knopert have made an immediate impact to the team. Knopert is second on the team in points with five on two goals and an assist. Gerke earned her first assist this past weekend against No. 13 Rutgers and scored her first goal as a Terp against Lock Haven.
- Freshman Ellie Goldstein and Ella Gaitan have also added youthful energy to an already potent attack. Both freshmen have recorded one goal each.
Maryland's offense currently has 17 goals this season by 11 different players.
Klebasko's cage
- Sophomore Alyssa Klebasko is continuing her dominance in the cage coming off of a stellar freshman year.
- The 2023 Big Ten All-Second Team goalie is currently third in the conference and fifth nationally with a 0.88 goals-against average.
- Through seven games, Klebasko has 14 saves and her two shutouts ranks third in the conference.
Captain, oh captain!
- Senior Kylee Niswonger was selected as co-captains with Emma Deberdine for the 2024 season.
- The Terps's offense has been led this season by Niswonger, who has scored four goals in seven games, including her first career hat trick against Lock Haven.
- In 2023, Niswonger played in 22 games and made two starts. As a sophomore, Niswonger made her first career start against No. 18 Duke. She would score her first career goal against Georgetown.
Terps Go B1G
- Maryland is 171-61-3 (.727) all-time against Big Ten opponents.
- Head coach Missy Meharg is 153-37-1 (.801) vs. Big Ten opponents in her 37 years at the helm of the Maryland field hockey program.
- Since joining the league in 2014, the Terps are 85-27 (.758) in conference play, including their 30 Big Ten Tournament games.
- The Terrapins are 67-8 (.893) vs. Big Ten teams at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex.
- The Terrapins won the first Big Ten title for the University of Maryland with a 4-1 win over No. 14 Iowa on Nov. 1, 2014 in College Park.
- Maryland defended its first Big Ten title when it clinched the 2015 regular season crown with a 1-0 overtime win vs. Indiana on Oct. 23.
- The Terrapins won their first Big Ten Tournament title with a 5-1 win over second-seeded and 10th-ranked Michigan on Nov. 8 in the final. Welma Luus scored four goals in the match and broke a Tournament record with seven in the three-game run.
Maryland last won the Big Ten Championship in 2022.
