The Terps look to retool after an early postseason exit.
Maryland women’s lacrosse head coach Cathy Reese has set high standards for the program, eyeing regular Final Four appearances — and rightfully so. Reese has guided the Terps to 12 such runs in her illustrious 19-year tenure.
But Maryland fell short of those expectations for the third consecutive season in 2025, marking another NCAA Tournament early exit — this one in disappointing fashion.
The Terps were five seconds away from a quarterfinal rematch with No. 3-seed Northwestern. After getting the defensive stop and scooping up the loose ball, those chances spiked. But one costly mistake derailed those odds. Instead of launching it across the field, Neve O’Ferrall tried to make a simple pass. The ball sailed behind Sophie Halus, and Penn capitalized. With the pendulum swung in the Quakers’ favor, Maryland fell in double overtime.
Maryland’s 15-6 season record was its second-best over the past six years, but still left a lot to be desired for Reese.
Nonconference play
The season didn’t look promising initially. With team chemistry lacking, the Terps’ inexperience showed in their 15-9 season-opening home loss to then-No. 6 Syracuse. Maryland never led and failed to put forth many threatening chances, leaving fans worried.
Three days later, the Terps’ offensive woes remained, committing a near-season-high 21 turnovers. Despite only managing 17 shots on frame, Maryland was ruthless with its looks, scoring nine goals. It was ultimately the Terps’ defense that propelled them to a 9-7 victory over Georgetown.
When Maryland’s offense finally woke up, it happened in a significant manner. The Terps registered 14.3 goals in their ensuing three contests, fueling it to wins over Saint Joseph’s, Denver and then-No. 13 James Madison.
Maryland entered conference play in red-hot form, riding a four-game winning streak by a combined margin of 23 goals.
Big Ten play
The Terps only sustained their momentum, securing victories in their first two conference games. But those clashes were by no means easy.
Maryland faced a four-goal deficit midway through the second quarter against Penn State. Its chances looked bleak until Shelby Sullivan rose to the occasion. The freshman contributed her second goal of the contest, one that proved critical. The tally flipped the game, starting a stretch of 13 of 14 Terps’ scores that helped them cruise to a 19-11 victory.
The next contest saw a tighter finish down the stretch. Maryland and Michigan, two Big Ten heavyweights, exchanged blows in a game that left fans on the edge of their seats for 60 minutes. Neither side could build a comfortable lead. In the end, it was the Terps that came out triumphant, 14-12.
While Maryland’s ensuing performance — a 16-4 blowout defeat to then-No. 3 Northwestern — left little doubt about who the conference’s front-runner is, the Terps quickly got back on track.
Maryland strung five straight Big Ten victories to cap off its turbulent regular season. Despite the offense fluctuating throughout that stretch, the Terps’ defensive unit remained stable, conceding just seven goals per game.
Maryland’s late-season surge diminished its nonconference defeats to then-No. 15 Penn and then-No. 9 Virginia. The Terps also defeated Arizona State in hectic fashion, starting its run of five wins in six contests.
Postseason run
Rutgers and Maryland met in the 2024 Big Ten Tournament just one year prior, with the Terps coming out on the wrong end. This time around, it was Rutgers’ tournament aspirations that were cut short. Maryland secured a convincing 17-11 opening-round victory.
The Terps’ 13-10 triumph over Michigan in the second round was more decisive than the scoreline would suggest. Maryland never trailed and eased off the gas pedal in the game’s waning moments, failing to score in the final 11 minutes of the contest.
Riding a perfect 9-0 record against the other seven conference foes, the Terps hoped to slay the Goliath that was top-seed Northwestern in the title game. It was just three minutes away from doing just that, until the Wildcats’ offense woke up. Northwestern scored its fourth and fifth unanswered goals to take a one-score advantage.
After responding with the game-tying tally, Maryland had 15 seconds to kill in hopes of forcing overtime. Instead, Aditi Foster snuck behind the Terps’ backline and finished the easy look. Kori Edmondson’s free-position chance to tie with two seconds left was denied, sealing Maryland’s devastating defeat.
The Terps drew Fairfield in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, and they quickly dispatched the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champions. Maryland’s vengeance to wipe away its regular-season loss to Penn was not enough, though, as the Terps bowed out in the second round — their second such occurrence in three seasons.
Looking forward
Unlike the previous offseason, Maryland heads into the 2026 campaign with continuity in its favor. Reese was forced to replace nine of her 12 starters a season ago, and those issues plagued the Terps early on.
But Maryland should be able to avoid that lack of chemistry next year, as it returns all but three of its starters: Halus, Kate Sites and Chrissy Thomas.
After an up-and-down first season, JJ Suriano remains the top goalie on the roster. The netminder will be looking to pick up where she left off, posting four consecutive impressive performances to cap off the campaign.
The Terps’ key defensive anchors — Maddy Sterling, Kennedy Major, Annabella Schafer and O’Ferrall — may be paired alongside one of the incoming class of 2025 recruits. Either four-star Lyla Ingrilli, Aubrey Turner or Ryan Reynolds could fill Halus’ departure. Fallon George is also a potential candidate to step in.
Maryland’s midfield unit remains intact next year, with Kayla Gilmore, Jordyn Lipkin and Edmondson — the Big Ten Midfielder of the Year and a first-team All-American — all coming back. The Terps have several potential depth pieces arriving in College Park next season, with seven recruits at Reese’s disposal. The class is headlined by Inside Lacrosse’s No. 10-ranked recruit Ava Meyn.
Maryland’s attack will be the biggest question mark in 2026. The lone returning starter is Sullivan, who brings just one season of collegiate experience to the table. With a lack of roster space available for next year, Reese will have to bolster that unit with limited slots to fill.
Lauren LaPointe will likely move into the starting lineup, and Maisy Clevenger could join her — depending on the severity of last season’s injury. Freshman Meg MacMurray and Mia Raucci may see extended action. Reese could opt to bring in a couple of high-quality transfers as well, particularly if any players enter the transfer portal.
With increased experience next year, the Terps will be looking for a more successful 2026 campaign and potentially add to their nation-leading 15 national championships.