Leading up to Maryland women’s lacrosse’s 13-10 win against then-No. 1 North Carolina on Feb. 25, the team held its practices at Maryland Stadium instead of the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex. The Terps wanted to familiarize themselves with the football field’s turf before playing their first game at the venue in 10 years.

Coach Cathy Reese implemented a similar tactic Monday and Tuesday. Only this time, her squad trekked across campus to work out at Ludwig Field, the university’s soccer stadium. After playing most of their home games on Astroturf, the No. 1 Terps traded their turf shoes for cleats in preparation for their contest on grass at No. 18 Virginia’s Klöckner Stadium on Wednesday.

“Ludwig is in great condition and our facilities people have done a really nice job taking care of that,” Reese said. “It’s different, too, for our goalies just to take shots on grass and not turf. … Primarily why we’re up here is just to get to ground balls, [get used to new] shoes and let our goalies get some shots.”

[Read more: Maryland women’s lacrosse’s reserves shined in a blowout win vs. Michigan]

The Terps have played on a few different surfaces this season. In addition to facing North Carolina at Maryland Stadium, they went up against James Madison on a Bermuda grass field March 25. Attacker Megan Whittle described the Terps’ 16-11 victory as a “bizarre day” because the grass seemed dead and had a bright reflection.

However, the Terps believe Klöckner Stadium’s field conditions should be similar to Ludwig’s.

“This is probably our first good grass game, if that makes sense,” Whittle said. “So, yeah, it’ll be something different, something new.”

Defender Julia Braig described the playing surface at the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex as “more like concrete,” so the grass will require several adjustments. The ball might bounce different ways or roll slower, and the footing is different.

With the unfamiliar field, the players will focus on the little things, such as keeping their bodies and sticks low while picking up ground balls, Braig said. She and Reese said it isn’t a big difference but admitted there are aspects that take getting used to.

The Terps (11-0) will also have to adapt to bounce shots on both ends of the field, though the defense doesn’t seem concerned with this change.

“Our defense and [goalkeeper Megan Taylor] have a really good connection, and if we force them wide, Meg is going to stop them,” Braig said. “I don’t know how it’s going to bounce on grass, but I know Meg is going to get it. Meg has our back on everything.”

Offensively, the practices at Ludwig and warm-ups at Virginia will provide the Terps with a better understanding of where their shots will go, Whittle said. Contrary to their home turf, where the Terps often know how their attempts will bounce, they won’t be as sure against the Cavaliers (7-5).

“We’re just excited for another opportunity to play,” Whittle said. “It’s just another week, another big week with two games. It’s just exciting to keep playing.”