Midfielder Hannah Warther had a wide-open lane to goal from a free position, but instead dished it to attacker Taylor Hensh, who scored the Maryland women’s lacrosse team’s 12th goal of the first half from point blank range. The score gave the Terps a 10-goal cushion over Michigan with about five minutes left in the period, causing the clock to run.
Maryland never allowed the Wolverines to cut into their 10-goal advantage as the clock ran the rest of the contest. The No. 1 Terps dominated the Wolverines from the opening draw in their 20-7 win.
“Coming off the win over Florida, it was important that we come out strong today, and we did,” coach Cathy Reese said. “We kind of had our foot on the gas the whole game.”
Midfielders Jen Giles and Kali Hartshorn each scored hat tricks in the first half while attackers Megan Whittle and Brindi Griffin also notched three goals. Ten Terps found the back of the net. Six players registered assists, including midfielder Zoe Stukenberg, who set up three goals.
Stukenberg led the team with five goals in its win over Florida on Wednesday, but didn’t score against the Wolverines. Conversely, the Gators held Hartshorn scoreless, but she bounced back Saturday.
The wealth of players stepping up has been a staple for the Terps this season.
“That’s what’s going to make us dangerous through the season,” Reese said. “That we can get that kind of production from anywhere on the field.”
Reese gave 31 players time on the field. The less-experienced Terps (11-0) kept up the pressure instigated by the starters, with five reserves notching goals.
Attacker Bairre Reilly supplied one of the assists, firing from a quick restart to attacker Brindi Griffin, who was alone in front of net.
“It gets everyone really excited when we clear the bench and get everyone in,” Reilly said.
The Terps stonewalled Michigan (4-9) with a stout backline and three different goalkeepers. The Wolverines rarely came near goal before the Terps collapsed on them, causing 10 turnovers.
Megan Taylor made six saves in the first half while Emily Kift and Emma Moss platooned in the second period, combining for four stops.
The Wolverines scored their second goal of the game early in the first half, but didn’t add to their score for almost 23 minutes before adding a few late goals when Maryland had in their reserves.
Those kind of commanding performances are what have helped Maryland maintain its undefeated record.
“We’re at the point in our season where we’re getting past the halfway mark and we’re just trying to keep rolling,” Stukenberg said. “One game at a time, focus on the details. We just want to keep getting better.”
