When Rutgers’ Meghan Ball was named 2023 Big Ten defender of the year, it was the first time in the award’s history that a Maryland women’s lacrosse player didn’t win it.
But now, Ball will soon be a Terp. The graduate transfer student, who spent four years starring on the Scarlet Knights’ back line, is verbally committed to Maryland, per a team source. An announcement from the team will come when Ball officially signs with the Terps.
The defender was named a First Team All-American by USA Lacrosse Magazine and made the IWLCA’s second team last season. Ball is the Scarlet Knights’ all-time leader in caused turnovers and draw controls.
The list of notable transfers Cathy Reese has brought to College Park in recent years is long. Now, the Maryland women’s lacrosse coach has added another high-quality name to her roster.
[Maryland women’s lacrosse struggled to ‘put it together’ during 2023 campaign]
“Meghan is an excellent player for sure and a really strong defender. She’s smart, she’s physical, she’s in the right spot where she needs to be,” Reese said ahead of Maryland’s matchup with Rutgers in the Big Ten tournament.
Reese emphasized the Terps’ needed to limit turnovers ahead of their battle with Rutgers last month — something many teams struggled to do against Ball’s defense. The senior led the nation with 60 caused turnovers in 2023 and ranked second in turnovers per game with 3.53.
Ball also tallied 51 ground balls and 101 draw controls on the season. She could play a similar role to recent Terp Abby Bosco, who led Maryland’s defense last season and thrived on the outside of Shaylan Ahearn’s draw circle.
She joins a Maryland defense that has lost three of its 2023 starters in Bosco, Marge Donovan and Maddie Sanchez. Ball’s addition won’t just add depth and veteran leadership to Maryland’s defense — it will add star power.
