#1 Terps Run Past #13 Virginia, 17-6

University of Maryland Athletics

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Powered by performances from sophomore attacker Megan Whittle and junior midfielder Zoe Stukenberg, the No. 1 Maryland women’s lacrosse team (15-0) took down No. 13 Virginia (8-7), 17-6, Wednesday evening.

“I thought we played well tonight,” head coach Cathy Reese said. “We came out and were able to capitalize both offensively and defensively, so it was great to close the home slate that way.”

Whittle tallied five goals while Stukenberg notched two goals, two assists and four draw controls. Senior midfielder Bryn Boucher and freshman midfielder Jen Giles each scored hat tricks and senior midfielder Taylor Cummings recorded two goals. Junior attacker Caroline Wannen and sophomore attacker Kacie Logo each posted one goal.

Whittle started the scoring at 22:30, driving from the left of the cage. Stukenberg drove from the opposite side to score at 18:42, and scored while falling at 15:51 to give the Terps a 3-0 lead. Stukenberg found Wannen down low for a goal at 14:29.

Cummings notched back-to-back goals to push the lead to 6-0. Virginia got on the board at 8:28, but Whittle was able to score twice more to finish a first-half hat trick and give the Terps an 8-1 lead at halftime.

Boucher found the back of the net twice to start the second half. Whittle notched a free-position goal as Maryland took an 11-1 lead at 24:42.

The Cavaliers rattled off three straight goals to bring the game to 11-4 at 16:33. Taylor Hensh found Longo down low to break the run at 14:15. Giles capitalized on a free-position opportunity at 13:22 and Whittle added her fifth goal just over a minute later.

Virginia scored on a free position at 8:31. Giles dodged down the middle to score at 5:57, and Boucher dodged left and scored on a crossbody shot at 4:59 as both completed hat tricks. The Cavaliers added one more goal at 3:49, but Maryland took the 17-6 win.

Cummings finished the game with five draw controls, two ground balls and four caused turnovers. Senior defender Alice Mercer caused two turnovers and picked up two ground balls.

Freshman goalie Megan Taylor made five saves and picked up two ground balls.

The Terps continue Big Ten play at Michigan (6-9, 0-3) Saturday at 1 p.m. The game will be streamed through MGoBlue TV.

– Maryland –