Both teams are 9-0. Last week, they were tied at No. 1 in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association poll, and one team or the other is leading the country in almost every offensive and defensive category.

Tomorrow, either the No. 1-ranked Terrapins or the No. 2-ranked Wake Forest Demon Deacons will endure the first blemish on their perfect season when the teams meet in Winston-Salem, N.C.

“It’s going to be fun,” Terps head coach Missy Meharg said. “They’re just so good and so deep. It should be quite a game.”

Statistically, Wake Forest holds a slight advantage. The Demon Deacons are the best team in the nation in goals per game, goals against average, scoring margin and shutout percentage. In each of those categories, however, the Terps are ranked No. 2 or No. 3.

Both powerhouse squads have thoroughly dominated their opponents, as well. Wake Forest has posted six shutouts and has outscored its challengers 43-3, while the Terps are close behind with five shutouts and a scoring disparity of 37-6.

Statistics aside, the match will prove somewhat of a change of scenery for Meharg and the Terps, as the team has played in the comforts of College Park for three weeks straight and has yet to face a ranked opponent on the road.

“It’s basically our first away game besides the trip to California [earlier in the season],” said freshman forward Nicole Muracco, who leads the team in goals with seven. “It’s confidence and nervousness at the same time. It’s mixed feelings, but I can’t wait.”

The Demon Deacons will be looking for revenge for last November’s ACC championship game,when then-freshman Susie Rowe scored with less than a minute remaining in regulation to give the Terps the ACC crown. Wake Forest returns several key players from last year, including its first ACC Rookie of the Year Christine Suggs, who leads the team with 10 goals.

Despite the Terps’ 19-6 all-time record against Wake Forest, the defending national champions are just 1-7 in their last eight games against the Demon Deacons since 2002.

Win or lose, Meharg said the score isn’t as important as what the team can take from the difficult task.

“The outcome is important, but it’s not,” Meharg said. “It’s the process and it’s the game. If you do lose the game, it’s not going to kill you. You just take the value of the game.”

To add to the already elevated importance of the game, this year’s NCAA tournament semifinals and finals will also be held in Winston-Salem. Meharg said the team, especially its nine new players, will benefit from playing a vital game in the championship venue and atmosphere.

“It’s nice to go down to where the final four is,” Meharg said. “Especially if we’re fortunate enough to take this team where I think it has the potential to go.”

Contact reporter Geremy Bass at geremybass@gmail.com.