The Terps loo to secure their sixth straight win.
No. 5 Maryland women’s lacrosse (5-1) is clicking at the right time, riding a five-game winning streak into its toughest slate of games.
However, it took the Terps some time to adjust in their first Big Ten game of the season. Maryland dug itself into a 7-3 deficit before scoring six unanswered goals and coasting to a 19-11 road victory over Penn State.
Sunday’s home contest against No. 12 Michigan will provide the Terps with their toughest game since their season opener against No. 6 Syracuse, their lone loss thus far.
The game will start at 11 a.m. due to weather concerns and streamed on Big Ten Plus.
No. 12 Michigan Wolverines (5-2, 0-0 Big Ten)
2024 record: 16-4, 4-2 Big Ten
Head coach Hannah Nielsen has brought the Wolverines to new levels of success in her eighth season at the helm. Nielsen — a four-time national champion and two-time Tewaaraton Award winner as a player at Northwestern — took over a program with just four years under its belt. She has since guided Michigan to its first four NCAA Tournament appearances.
Last season marked the program’s best finish. The Wolverines began 11-0 before falling to two No. 1 ranked programs at the time in Maryland and Northwestern. Despite losing its Big Ten Tournament opener, Michigan made its deepest run yet in the NCAA Tournament. It exited in the quarterfinals to Boston College, the eventual national champion.
The Wolverines have once again gotten off to a good start, outscoring their five unranked opponents by 42 and only falling to Denver by two goals on the road. Michigan has split their two games against ranked foes, losing to No. 4 Yale before handling No. 17 Penn with ease.
Players to watch
Jill Smith, senior attacker, No. 14 — Smith has been a constant threat on the attack ever since her freshman campaign, and last season was no exception. The two-time Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association All-American third-teamer posted 57 goals and 14 assists. This season, she has notched a team-high 19 goals and 12 assists.
Erin O’Grady, senior goalkeeper, No. 50 — Last season’s IWLCA National Goalie of the Year is likely having her best year in a Michigan uniform. After finishing second in the country with a 54.9% save percentage, O’Grady has taken another step. She has recorded a nation-leading 57.3% save percentage, while conceding 7.9 goals per game.
Kaylee Dyer, senior attacker, No. 11 — Smith and Dyer are the Wolverines’ 1-2 attacking punch. Fresh off a breakout junior campaign in which she contributed 50 goals and 19 assists, Dyer has taken on a more prominent facilitator role. She is tied for a team-high 12 assists while adding 16 goals.
Strength
Scoring defense. After conceding 7.55 goals per game last season — the best mark in the country — Michigan has picked up where it left off. The Wolverines rank eighth in the nation with 7.86 goals allowed. Michigan’s two losses this season have come when its opponents have reached double-digit goals.
Weakness
Forcing turnovers. While the Wolverines’ defense has been elite in goal prevention, they have struggled to generate turnovers. Michigan ranks 102nd out of the 120 Division I programs with 6.57 caused turnovers per game. Outside of Grace Callahan — who has forced a team-high 11 turnovers — the Wolverines don’t have another player that ranks top-20 in the Big Ten.
Three things to watch
1. One-sided series. Despite Sunday’s contest marking the 12th meeting between these two programs, Michigan has yet to beat Maryland. However, last season’s matchup was the closest the Wolverines have ever gotten, losing 8-6 at home.
2. How will Maryland’s offense fare? After a sluggish start to the season, the Terps’ attacking unit is red-hot. Maryland produced a season-high 19 goals last game, marking its fourth consecutive double-digit scoring output. However, the Terps have yet to face an elite defense like Michigan’s.
3. JJ Suriano’s biggest test. In her first season of action, Suriano has experienced her fair share of ups-and-downs. The sophomore goaltender has tallied 24 saves over the past two contests, including a career-high 13 against James Madison. The Wolverines’ two-headed monster in attack of Smith and Dyer will be a challenge to deal with, though.