No. 3 Maryland (10-0) had a slow start against USC (6-6). But after building some momentum in the first half, the team held onto a lead.

The Trojans were on a defensive stand, but it ultimately hurt them, as their aggression created multiple scoring opportunities for the Terps.

Maryland rolled after dominating the second and third quarters to a 13-7 win over USC at SECU Stadium

“We’re happy with the win, but there’s always room for improvement,” defender Kennedy Major said.

The history between these teams is short, as this was only the second time these two teams have matched up, but with this win, Maryland has started a winning streak against USC.

Before joining the Big Ten conference in 2025, USC was in the PAC-12, which has since dissolved.

Keeley Block was a standout this game with four goals. LaPointe and Kori Edmondson weren’t far behind, each earning hat tricks.

It was a slow first quarter for both teams, each only earning one goal and going back and forth the rest of the 15 minutes.

USC attempted to set the tone with the first goal of the game coming just one minute into the first quarter from Hollis Mulry, assisted by Bunting. Mulry earned two goals in the competition, scoring again in the third quarter.

The Trojans were aggressive in the first quarter, standing stalwart on defense and keeping Maryland to one goal.

“It was just their style of defense,” head coach Cathy Reese said. “I felt like there were a lot of people in [the] shooting space, which clogged the lanes a lot. We just needed to make sure we were keeping our height to try and get some of those calls.”

Edmondson put Maryland on the board with a free-position goal in the opening frame.

Maryland gained its lead in the second quarter with Kayla Gilmore scoring off a free position shot after a USC player swung a stick near her head.

This set the Terps offense in motion, with Lexi Dupcak scoring a minute later, assisted by Edmondson.

The Trojans earned two yellow cards in a row in the second quarter, both for Anna Bergans, who was subsequently ejected from the game.

Lauren LaPointe scored the first goal of the second half after a failed free position attempt; she was assisted by Lexi Dupcak.

Maryland earned another goal; this time, LaPointe assisted Keeley Block, who finished with four goals. Block scored again on an assist from LaPointe on a behind-the-back shot.

The duo switched things up with four minutes to go in the third quarter, with Block assisting LaPointe.

“I think [we’re] just making sure that we’re always being aggressive and not backing away from that aggression of theirs,” LaPointe said.

The Terps had a successful second quarter despite USC making some comeback shots. The end of the first half saw Maryland with seven goals to USC’s three.

Maryland had a strong game, but it was close compared to USC’s most recent ranked play against Johns Hopkins, where the Trojans lost 20-5.

The Terps will play Johns Hopkins on Thursday at 4 p.m in Baltimore, MD.