The Terps scored five unanswered goals in the second half.
No. 7 Maryland women’s lacrosse’s defense has had its fair share of woes this season, particularly on its four-game road trip two weeks ago. After holding Ohio State to its season-low in goals on Sunday, the Terps’ unit had another chance to showcase their improvement against Rutgers.
Despite Maryland notching five unanswered goals in the second half, Wednesday’s contest came down to the final two possessions. The Terps held the ball with two minutes left and had an opportunity to seal the victory with another score.
However, Maryland committed a costly turnover and Rutgers’ midfielder Kayleigh Coughlin was there to scoop up the loose ball. The junior pushed in transition — something the Scarlet Knights had thrived in all game long — but this time, the Terps were prepared.
Rutgers managed just one shot in its set offense, and sailed it well wide of the goal. The Terps’ crucial stop propelled them to an 8-7 win Wednesday night in Piscataway, New Jersey.
After generating just three goals in the first 42 minutes of the contest and trailing by two, Maryland’s offense woke up. Kori Edmondson and Jordyn Lipkin fueled the quick turnaround. The duo scored the Terps’ last five goals of the game and helped give Maryland (11-4, 6-1 Big Ten) a two-goal lead early in the fourth quarter.
While the Scarlet Knights (8-8, 2-5 Big Ten) responded with two goals in quick succession, Edmondson produced the game-winner, her ninth hat trick of the season.
But that was just a short glimpse of what the Terps’ offense looked like Wednesday. Despite scoring its second-lowest total of the season against Ohio State, the Terps’ struggles were even more noticeable Wednesday. Maryland produced one of its worst first halves this year, rivaling only their 16-4 loss to No. 3 Northwestern.
Kate Sites — who had notched three consecutive braces entering the game — gave the Terps’ offense a promising start, though. The graduate student notched Maryland’s first goal of the contest four minutes in.
But then, Rutgers’ goalie Lexie Coldiron stole the show. The nation’s leader in saves looked the part, stifling the Terps’ struggling offensive unit. Behind her elite shot blocking, Maryland was held scoreless for nearly 18 minutes following the inital goal. Coldiron totaled 14 saves on 22 shots on frame, managing a 63.6% save percentage.
The Scarlet Knights’ zone defense also gave the Terps fits in the first half, leading to increased sloppiness. Maryland failed to connect on multiple short-range passes and lost its footing twice, leading to six pivotal turnovers in the first half.
As the Terps’ attack stalled out, Rutgers grew into the game. The Scarlet Knights thrived on their transition play, catching Maryland’s defense lacking.
However, Rutgers’ attack wasn’t generated from its usual weapon. Lily Dixon posted 33 assists through the first 15 contests — the 20th-best mark in the country. The junior was held without an assist for the second consecutive game and third time this season Wednesday.
Instead, attacker Alex Popham fueled the Scarlet Knights. Popham had one of her best game in a Rutgers’ uniform, notching a goal and two assists.
Behind her distribution, the Scarlet Knights scored four unanswered goals to take a 4-2 lead into halftime.
While Maryland’s offense couldn’t produce in the opening half, goalie JJ Suriano kept her team in the game. The sophomore — who has struggled to protect the net throughout the year — came up clutch when the team needed her most. Suriano recorded a 61.1% save percentage, making 11 saves for her fifth double-digit tally of the season.
Despite managing only one goal, Kayla Gilmore’s score kickstarted the Terps’ comeback and helped them overcome a three-goal deficit.
Three things to know
- Hometown hero. In front of her family and friends, Lipkin showed up in a big way Wednesday. The New Jersey native scored two straight goals to tie the game at five early in the fourth quarter, finishing with her fourth hat trick of the season on just five shots.
- Edmondson broke out of her slump. After displaying three consecutive four-goal performances, the junior was held to four goals over the last three contests. Edmondson put together one of her best halves Wednesday, scoring all three of her goals in the fourth quarter.
- Big Ten update. Following the win, Maryland remains solely in second place in the conference standings. The Terps have a slim shot of claiming a share of the Big Ten regular season title, needing Northwestern to drop one of its two remaining games and a win over Johns Hopkins Saturday.