The Terps dropped three of their last five games, losing in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.
Maryland women’s lacrosse was selected as the No. 4-seed in the NCAA Tournament, and will host Robert Morris in the first round and either Penn State and James Madison in the second round.
This is the Terps’ 39th year reaching the tournament, and they have yet to miss it since 1988.
Maryland has endured a season of varying results. It was ranked as the No. 1 team in the country in the IWCLA Division I poll at the end of March, but it’s been rocky since. The Terps lost by eight to Northwestern, the eventual Big Ten champion, and failed to clinch a share of the Big Ten regular season title following an upset loss to Penn State, 12-11.
To make matters worse, the Terps were stunned in College Park in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament, losing to No. 6-seed Rutgers, 12-11. The defeat dropped their RPI from second to sixth in the country, and in just two weeks, they plummeted from fourth to 11th in the national rankings.
Despite recent struggles, the Terps still have a very talented team and a 12-5 record, with notable wins over then-No. 2 James Madison and then-No. 2 Michigan.
Eight of their players were selected to All-Big Ten teams, and goalkeeper Emily Sterling and defender Meghan Ball were both named Tewaaraton Award nominees in April. They also have the advantage of a very experienced crew — rostering 11 seniors — and head coach Cathy Reese has won five national titles.
The Terps defeated James Madison, 11-8, earlier this season, but have yet to play Robert Morris.
If the Terps make it to the Elite Eight, they will host another game in College Park.