When the Maryland men’s lacrosse team traveled to New York to face Albany on March 11, freezing temperatures and snow postponed the game.

But the projected temperature for the start of Wednesday’s rescheduled matchup with the Great Danes (9-1) is in the mid-70s, a welcome change from the poor conditions earlier in the campaign.

The midweek game presents a challenge for the Terps (7-2, 2-0 Big Ten), who must play three times in eight days. Here are five things to watch entering their showdown with No. 5 Albany.

April Success

Maryland has dominated its April slate to rise in the national polls over the past two seasons. The Terps have won eight straight April contests, with six of those victories against ranked opponents. Last year, the Terps’ 6-0 April record boosted them from No. 5 to No. 3. And after two wins to begin the month this campaign, they’ve jumped from No. 9 to No. 3.

Peak Connor Kelly

After midfielder Connor Kelly recorded 31 goals as a sophomore, he struggled to progress at the start of this campaign, notching six goals in the first four games. Since then, he’s exploded for 13 scores over the past five contests, averaging 2.6 goals per game.

In addition, his ball distribution has improved. He’s supplied nine assists in nine games. Last year, he averaged just 0.65 feeds per game.

Rambo’s Record Chase

Attackman Matt Rambo is approaching Maryland’s all-time goals record. After scoring four times against Penn State, he needs 18 more to break the mark set by Joe Walters in 2006.

Rambo has scored 23 times in nine games and found the back of the net in every contest. If his average of 2.55 goals per game continues for the rest of the campaign, he would break the program’s goal record in the NCAA tournament quarterfinals, a stage the Terps have reached in three straight seasons.

Another Faceoff Test

Maryland impressed in the faceoff X in its win over Penn State, taking 20 of 30 draws against the Nittany Lions, which entered with the third-best faceoff percentage in the country. Albany, however, presents an even greater challenge on draws.

The Great Danes’ feature specialist TD Ierlan, who ranks second in the nation with a .728 success rate in the faceoff X. Behind his dominance, Albany is ranked No. 2 in team draw percentage. Despite finding success against Penn State, the Terps rank 16th in faceoffs. So, coach John Tillman said draws would be a point of emphasis entering Wednesday.

Dominant Great Danes

Albany dropped its first game, 10-9, on the road to now-No. 1 Syracuse. But the Great Danes haven’t lost since, scoring at least 15 goals in all but one of their wins.

They’re led by junior attackman Connor Fields, one of the most dangerous offensive threats in recent NCAA lacrosse history. This season, he’s posted 38 goals and 33 assists in 10 games. Over his career, the East Amherst, New York, native ranks third in points (232) and goals (148) among active players.