COLLEGE PARK, MD – No. 6-seeded and ranked Maryland women's lacrosse advanced to the NCAA Tournament Second Round as it defeated Fairfield, 16-7, in the first round at Maryland Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex on Friday. Maryland improved to 15-5 overall as it has now won 10 straight first-round games since 2007.
The Terps will host No. 12 Penn at the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex on May 11 at noon. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Kori Edmondson scored 1:45 seconds into the game, allowing Marykand to jump out to an early lead. It went on to lead for the entire contest, using an 8-0 goal scoring run through the first two quarters to build a commanding 10-1 lead right before halftime that Fairfield (11-8) was never able to overcome.
Lauren LaPointe led the Terps offensively with a career-high five goals. She netted a hat trick in the first half alone. It was her seventh career hat trick and sixth of the season. Edmondson followed with three goals and two assists. She has 31 career hat tricks, including a team-leading 14 this season.
Maryland's other standouts offensively included Chrissy Thomas (2 goals & 3 assists), Kate Sites (1 goal & 1 assist), Jordyn Lipkin (1 goal & 1 assist) and Emma Abbazia (1 goal & 1 assist). Thomas ranks 10th on the program's all-time assists list with 98 in her career.
Ava Kitt,
Shelby Sullivan and
Hailey Russo also scored goals. Kitt's was the first of her career.
In her NCAA Tournament debut, goalie JJ Suriano made seven saves between the pipes.
Caroline Smith,
Julia Ward and
Carly Peterson then made appearances as Maryland boasted a large advantage. Edmondson,
Devin Livingston,
Lexi Dupcak,
Neve O'Ferrall,
Maddy Sterling and
Sophie Halus each caused a turnover.
Kayla Gimore led the Terps with a career-high 11 wins from the draw circle while matched up against Fairfield's single-season record holder for draw controls, Brynn Donnelly. She reached a career-high in the first half alone, posting 10 wins. As a team, Maryland won 15-of-27 draws.
Maryland improved to 29-2 in NCAA Tournament games played in College Park under Head Coach Cathy Reese. This is also its 35th consecutive postseason appearance. Overall, the Terps lead the nation with 40 NCAA Tournament appearances and 82 wins.
Reese's Take
"We're seeing Lauren's confidence grow, we're seeing her take more risks out there and take more chances and step up," Reese said. "I've challenged these guys when we came off the Big Ten Tournament loss. I need more from my attackers. We need more from them if we're gonna keep moving forward this season. I loved Lauren's effort tonight. I love the way that she finished her plays."
Breaking Down The Action
- The Terps led 6-1 entering the second frame. Kori Edmondson and Lauren LaPointe scored twice. Chrissy Thomas and Emma Abbazia also recorded tallies.
- Maryland held a commanding 10-2 lead at the break. It recorded an 8-0 goal scoring run through the first and second quarters before surrendering a goal 34 seconds before halftime. LaPointe led the Terps with the three goals. JJ Suriano had five saves, anchoring the defense.
- The Terps led 14-5 entering the final frame. LaPointe scored her team-leading fifth goal of the game, and Edmondson netted her third to give her a hat trick. Caroline Smith took over between the pipes as Maryland boasted a large advantage.
- Maryland closed out the game with goals by Shelby Sullivan and Hailey Russo. It advanced to the second round in dominant fashion.
Hat Trick Terps
Multi-Terps Update
- Lauren LaPointe (five goals) notched the 10th multi-point game of her career. It was her ninth career game with multiple goals.
- Kori Edmondson (three goals & two assists) recorded multiple points for the 43rd time in her career. She has scored multiple goals 41 times and multiple assists three times.
- Chrissy Thomas (two goals & three assists) had the 39th multi-point game of her career. It was her 27th game with multiple assists.
- Kate Sites (one goal & one assist) posted the 16th multi-point game of her career.
- Jordyn Lipkin (one goal & one assist) recorded the 26th multi-point game of her career.
- Emma Abbazia (one goal & one assist) recorded her sixth career multi-point game.
NCAA Tourney Time
- Maryland is playing in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, having won four of the last 10 national championships, last winning in 2019.
- The Terps lead the nation with 40 NCAA Tournament appearances and are also first in wins (82), championship game appearances (22) and NCAA titles (14). They are making their 35th consecutive postseason appearance (1990-2025).
- Under Cathy Reese, Maryland has five National Championships (2010, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019). Reese is now 43-12 at Maryland in the NCAA Tournament, making 12 Final Fours and eight championship games.
- Maryland has won 10 straight first-round games since 2007 and has never lost one under Reese. The Terps have also had a first-round bye eight times under Reese.
- The Terps also improved to 29-2 in NCAA Tournament games played in College Park under Reese.
Home Cooking
- Maryland is 182-13 at home under head coach Cathy Reese. It has eight undefeated home campaigns in the last 11 seasons (2013-19 and 2021).
- It is also 29-2 in NCAA Tournament games played in College Park under Reese.
Numbers To Know
- 1: Kitt scored her first career goal in the game.
- 6: The Terps are ranked No. 6 in the Inside Lacrosse/Women's Coaches Association Top 25 Poll.
- 7: LaPointe has seven hat tricks in her career, including six this season.
- 10: Thomas is 10th all-time on Maryland's assists list with 98 assists.
- 10: Maryland has won 10 straight first-round games since 2007 and has never lost one under Reese.
- 11: Gilmore posted a career-high 11 draw control wins.
- 23: Edmondson has 23 straight games with a goal.
- 36: The Terps have scored 36 hat tricks as a team this season.
- 35: This is Maryland's 35th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
- 29: Maryland is 29-2 in NCAA Tournament games played in College Park under Head Coach Cathy Reese.
- 31: Edmondson recorded her 31st career hat trick and her 14th of the season.
- 43: Reese is now 43-12 at Maryland in the NCAA Tournament.
- 57: Edmondson has 57 goals to lead the Terps.
- 70: Edmonson leads the Terps with 70 points.
- 39: Thomas leads the Terps with 39 assists.
- 182: Maryland is 182-13 at home under Reese.
- 803: Maryland is the winningest Division I women's lacrosse program, with 803 wins.
Up Next
- The Terps will host No. 12 Penn in the NCAA Tournament Second Round on May 11 at noon. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
