In her final game at Ludwig Field in 1998, former Terrapin women’s lacrosse player and current head coach Cathy Reese frustrated James Madison with an effortless passing and scoring touch that had irritated opponents all season.

The All-America senior finished the afternoon with a game-high five assists to go along with one goal. Her performance lifted the Terps to a five-goal victory and into the Final Four, where they eventually won their fourth consecutive national title.

Last Saturday, at a field on which she had accomplished so much during her illustrious four-year playing career, Reese added one more memory: her 100th career coaching victory.

The No. 3 Terps (14-1, 4-1 ACC) played with the same tenacity on offense that made Reese such a threat back in her playing days, cruising past ACC bottom-feeder Virginia Tech, 18-4.

“It’s funny because I didn’t even think about it until after the game, when they just gave me the game ball and said, ‘This is for 100 wins,'” Reese said. “The exciting thing is that we’re at such a great part of the season that it’s not really a focus.”

In just four seasons at the helm of the Terps, Reese has guided her teams to great success, upholding the prestigious tradition of the program. Each of her squads has garnered at least a share of the ACC regular season title and last season, she won her first ACC Tournament title. Every season, her team has finished with a better record than a season before.

In the process, Reese has groomed two ACC Players of the Year, an ACC Rookie of the Year, two Tewaaraton trophy finalists and nine All-Americans — not to mention ACC Coach of the Year honors for herself in 2007 and 2009.

With women’s collegiate lacrosse rapidly growing, Reese’s coaching success is impressive. But with the sport’s expansion, it’s become increasingly difficult to win a national championship, something she’s done seven times as a player and an assistant coach.

“I think any coach in any sport would love to accomplish that,” Reese said. “I would love to get to that point, but every season it’s just one game at a time.”

After five seasons as an assistant coach at her alma mater, Reese started her head coaching career at Denver in 2004, where she brought national attention to the program. After her first season ended with a disappointing 7-12 record, she quickly began to lay the groundwork for a program-best finish in 2006.

The following year, the Terps offered Reese the reigns of the program after her former coach, Cindy Timchal, left College Park for Navy. In the four seasons since, Reese has guided the Terps to a 69-9 record.

“When I started here at Maryland, obviously I have so much passion here, my primary goal was that our student-athletes would love playing here,” Reese said. “I want lacrosse to be fun. I want their experience here to be one that they remember in a positive way.”

By keeping intact the same fast-paced style of lacrosse from her playing days, Reese made her transition to one of the most prestigious lacrosse programs in the country seamless. She continues to bring in talented recruiting classes that play to her quick style while also churning out All-Americas that maintain a winning tradition.

“I love Cathy,” said attacker Sarah Mollison, who left her native Australia to play for Reese. “Ever since I got here, she’s made it an easy transition.”

Last season, Reese led the Terps to an undefeated record all the way up to the final four before a season-ending loss to North Carolina. But along the way, she picked up sole possession of the ACC regular season championship along with the ACC Tournament championship.

This year, she returned the bulk of her lineup, along with several talented freshmen, in what she hopes will be a push for another run to the final four. While her team no longer owns an undefeated record after an April 10 loss to the Tar Heels, Reese has prepared her team for a chance to win the program’s first national championship since 2001.

And with defending champion Northwestern’s loss to North Carolina this past weekend, there are no undefeated teams remaining in college lacrosse. Considering Reese has guided the Terps just as far or farther in the NCAA Tournament than the year before every year, a national championship isn’t out of the question.

It’s the missing piece on an already substantial résumé.

ceckard@umdbk.com