The Terps complete their four-game homestand Saturday.
No. 9 Maryland women’s lacrosse (2-1) has responded well since its season-opening loss to No. 5 Syracuse, recording consecutive wins over Georgetown and Saint Joseph’s by a combined 13 goals.
Second-quarter success has been the catalyst behind these results, outscoring opponents 11-3 in those two games. The Terps’ defense has made up for a sluggish offensive output and been one of the best units this season. They concede 7.3 goals per game, the 17th-best mark in the nation.
Maryland’s four-game homestand concludes Saturday with its seventh all-time meeting against Denver. The Terps hold a 5-1 record in these matchups, including a 10-8 road win last year.
The match will start at noon and stream on Big Ten Plus.
Denver Pioneers (3-2, 0-0 Big East)
2024 record: 16-4, 5-0 Big East
Head coach Liza Kelly has brought consistency to a Denver program that took some time to find its footing in collegiate women’s lacrosse. The Pioneers notched just two winning seasons in their first eight years. However, Kelly has revitalized Denver into a powerhouse. In her 19 years at the helm, she has guided the Pioneers to just one losing season and eight NCAA Tournament appearances.
Last season marked Denver’s sixth straight national tournament berth. It finished with a 16-4 record and looked poised to make another deep run. However, the Pioneers ran into the eventual national runner-up, Northwestern, in the second round, falling 17-4.
Denver has endured an up-and-down 2025 campaign, losing its first two games to Louisville and No. 20 Ohio State. But it has since caught fire, as the Pioneers have rattled off three consecutive wins, all by at least nine goals.
Players to watch
Lauren Black, senior attacker, No. 1 — Black has taken the keys to the offense with the departure of last season’s leading goalscorer, Julia Gilbert. She has thrived in this new role. After finishing with 59 points — 38 goals and 21 assists — and an All-Big East first-team honor last season, Black has a team-high 15 goals through five games.
Emelia Bohi, senior goalkeeper, No. 27 — The 5-foot-10 netminder out of Bethesda, Maryland, has carved out an impressive career since arriving on campus. Bohi immediately took over the reins in goal and hasn’t disappointed, securing back-to-back All-Big East honors. She has allowed 9.8 goals a game this season, the 32nd-lowest mark in the country.
Caroline Colimore, senior midfielder, No. 34 — Colimore — another Maryland native — was named to the All-Big East first team last season after her most complete campaign. She posted 30 goals, picked up 16 ground balls, caused 12 turnovers and added six assists. This season, she has seen more involvement in the faceoff circle, totaling 22 draw controls.
Strength
Defensive unit. Denver prides itself on its defense. The Pioneers ranked top 15 in the nation in both caused turnovers (11.5) and scoring defense (9.2 goals per game) last season. Denver has picked up where it left off, conceding 9.6 goals per game through five contests. Saturday’s matchup could be a low-scoring affair.
Weakness
Foul control. The Pioneers’ physicality on the defensive end comes with a higher risk to committing fouls. That has been evident this season, as they have tallied 28.2 fouls per game, one of the highest marks in the country. It has resulted in 48 free-position attempts and 17 goals.
Three things to watch
1. Slow starts. Maryland’s second-quarter dominance has overshadowed its first-quarter struggles. The Terps have scored two goals apiece in the opening period of their past two contests. Sloppiness has been a big factor as well, committing nine combined turnovers.
“We had a lot of good looks, things were there,” head coach Cathy Reese said. “We just weren’t finishing our shots … Something we will continue to talk about is make sure that we step out and play our game rather than wait to be a reactive team, and instead be a proactive one.”
2. Flashback to the past. Saturday’s contest will bring back some memories for Reese. She spent three years as the head coach of Denver prior to her time at Maryland. Reese gathered a 30-29 record with the Pioneers, including a 15-5 season in her final year.
3. Tune-up game. After taking care of business in the last two contests — both games they were expected to win — a meeting with Denver will prepare the Terps for their difficult schedule that awaits. Three of Maryland’s next four contests will be against ranked teams: No. 18 James Madison, No. 7 Michigan and No. 3 Northwestern.