The Terps look to clinch their second consecutive Big Ten regular season title.
Winners of seven straight, Maryland field hockey moved up two spots to No. 7 in the latest National Field Hockey Coaches Association’s poll.
With just one game left in the regular season, Maryland will look to take down the best team in the country — and exact some revenge — when it travels to No. 1 Northwestern on Thursday.
The team’s met in last year’s Final Four, and Northwestern prevailed, 2-1. Since that match, the Wildcats have won 15 of their last 17 games.
If Northwestern beats the Terps, it will clinch the Big Ten regular-season title outright. If the Terps prevail, they’ll take home a share of the crown.
Thursday’s game will begin at 4 p.m. and be televised on Big Ten Network.
Northwestern Wildcats (15-1, 7-0 Big Ten)
Since losing to North Carolina in last year’s national championship, Northwestern has looked almost unstoppable. Led by 15th-year head coach Tracey Fuchs, the Wildcats were upset in their season opener by then-No. 9 Louisville, but have since rattled off 15 straight wins.
With a win against Maryland, Northwestern would become the first Big Ten team to go undefeated in conference play since Michigan did so in the shortened 2021 spring season.
“We’re excited beyond words to play the best team in the nation,” Maryland head coach Missy Meharg said. “… If we’re willing to pass and run through, I think we’ll be successful.”
Players to watch
Annabel Skubisz, senior goalkeeper, No. 30 — Skubisz’s first career start came in her freshman year — a 2-1 win against Maryland. Since then, Skubisz has been one of the Big Ten’s top goalkeepers, having started 75 of 78 games.
The two-time NCAA All-Tournament Team selection and three-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week leads the country this year with a .49 goals allowed per game average.
Her 11 shutouts are the most in the conference.
“She’s tremendous,” Meharg said. “… She covers a lot of space, but she’s very simple.”
Peyton Halsey, graduate midfielder, No. 6 — Halsey serves as the Wildcats’ main offensive contributor. She is the only Wildcat with 10 or more goals this season, is second on the team with nine assists and leads the team with 29 total points.
Alia Marshall, graduate midfielder, No. 17 — Marshall enters Thursday’s match with only one goal on the season, yet she’s still been one of the most dangerous attackers in the country this season. Marshall leads the Big Ten with 15 assists and averages .94 per game, the second-highest mark in the country.
Strength
Defense. Northwestern is anchored by its defense. The Wildcats easily lead the conference with eight goals allowed and a .5 goals allowed per game average.
Weakness
Goal production. Northwestern’s attack has been outshined by its backline. The Wildcats have a lower goals per game average (2.8) than other top teams such as No. 8 Iowa and No. 11 Ohio State.
Three things to watch
1. Will the first goal be the difference? Skubisz and Maryland’s Alyssa Klebasko have been two of the best goalies in the country, with a combined one loss as a starter between them. Could one goal could be all it takes to claim victory?
2. Can Hope Rose come alive again? Hope Rose leads the Terps in both goals (12) and points (25). However, she has gone without a point in each of Maryland’s last four games. The Terps will need their star to come through if they want to make a statement win.
3. Importance of the bye. With a win over Northwestern, Maryland would have a chance to clinch the top seed in the Big Ten Tournament, pending the result of No. 3 Rutgers vs. No. 8 Iowa.
“We’re all fighting to get that bye,” Meharg said.