Possession is the name of the game, and No. 3 Northwestern women’s lacrosse won that game on Saturday.
No. 4 Maryland’s six-game winning streak had run its course after the hard-fought top-five matchup at the Wildcats’ Ryan Fieldhouse. Northwestern prevailed 16-4, as Maryland scored its fewest-ever goals against the Wildcats in the two teams’ 32 all-time meetings.
Northwestern was the highest-ranked team Maryland had faced since its season-opener against then-No. 6 Syracuse. The Terps fell 15-9 in that contest, but Maryland welcomed in 11 new freshmen this season, so it was inevitable that the first outing would be somewhat rocky.
Since then, the Terps had won each game with the squad significantly improving all around the field. But that momentum abruptly stymied in Saturday’s first quarter.
Northwestern scored a goal in each of the first four minutes until junior Kori Edmondson stepped in.
Edmondson scored not only Maryland’s first goal of the day but also her 100th career goal. She was also named Big Ten Midfielder of the Week for the third week in a row on Tuesday.
But she had virtually no time to celebrate because Northwestern scored another four consecutive goals, finishing the first quarter with a commanding 8-1 lead. A struggling Maryland wouldn’t respond the rest of the afternoon.
In the second quarter, Maryland had a crucial two-man-up opportunity but couldn’t convert. Maisy Clevenger’s low sidearm shot wasn’t enough to get past Syracuse transfer Delaney Sweitzer in goal.
Sweitzer ultimately recorded a season-high 12 saves in the contest.
Northwestern held a nine-point advantage to close out the first half. A Maryland comeback was unlikely but the Terps still had pride to play for in the final two quarters.
“We need to settle in and take care of the ball,” coach Cathy Reese said at the half.
Maryland did an impressive job in the first half at stopping Madison Taylor, the nation’s leading goal scorer. The Terps held her goalless in the first half but in the third quarter, Taylor found enough space to release the ball and get past JJ Suriano for her first of two scores in the second half.
Northwestern may have scored 11 goals in the first half, but Maryland’s defense came out of the locker room with a heightened sense of urgency that saw Terps defenders make aggressive and timely stops.
Maryland allowed just two goals and five shots in the third quarter, significantly improved from the first half, and quarter.
Maryland started to turn the game around to an extent, but it was far too late to bounce back from the early deficit.
The Terps may have led in draw controls, but it was Northwestern’s caused turnovers that halted Maryland from keeping any long-term possession of the ball.
Nevertheless, Maryland’s improved defense kept the second-half score at a respectable 5-2, a minor positive in an otherwise dismal afternoon.
Saturday’s loss marked the halfway point for Maryland’s regular season. Currently standing at 6-2, the young Terps have made impressive strides, but are still seeking a landmark victory in the 2025 campaign.
Maryland returns to The ‘Plex for another Big Ten clash, this time against Oregon on Thursday at 5 p.m. It will be the first-ever meeting between the Terps and Ducks.
