Maryland women’s lacrosse managed just two first half scores and suffered a 20-minute goalless drought early in a matchup between the nation’s top-two ranked teams. The Terps appeared sluggish offensively against Michigan’s top-rated defense.
Hannah Leubecker, Kori Edmondson and Libby May — the Terps’ three leading goal scorers — didn’t score in the early stages. Instead, they turned to their leading assist getter, Eloise Clevenger.
The senior attacker’s lethal shooting kickstarted a comeback win for the Terps. She scored three goals on three shots, accounting for half of No. 2 Maryland’s second-half scores in its 8-6 win over No. 5 Michigan on Saturday.
“Eloise is a great feeder but she’s also a great shooter,” coach Cathy Reese said. “We try to put her into positions where she can really take advantage of both.”
Clevenger entered her collegiate career as a prolific high school scorer. She tallied 87 goals in two seasons for Marriotts Ridge High School and posted 32 goals during her sophomore season after seeing limited action as a freshman.
[Despite lackluster offense, No. 1 Maryland women’s lacrosse pushes past No. 2 Michigan, 8-6]
Clevenger’s dual-threat ability on both sides of the goal creates challenges for opposing defenses. The Wolverines fell victim to her attacking expertise in the Terps’ fourth ranked win this season. Her four points were a game-high in the win.
“The fact that she can play both behind [goal] and up top, see open cutters, has really made her a dangerous threat,” Reese said after Maryland’s win at Georgetown in March. “She is kind of our quarterback on the offensive end. Everything sort of runs through her, and we’re relying on her.”
Clevenger’s first involvement came from the top of the arc when she assisted Shannon Smith. She drew three Michigan defenders to her, allowing Smith to cut into open space in front of the cage.
Clevenger’s one assist — tying a season low — brought her total to 41 through 12 games. She is seven away from a new season-best, and two behind Virginia’s Morgan Schwab for most in the nation.
Despite her lone assist, Clevenger still made an impression against the Wolverines.
[Maryland women’s lacrosse’s self-inflicted turnovers have interrupted its offensive rhythm]
May passed to her teammate after not finding an open attacker. Clevenger, facing more pressure from Michigan’s defense, decided not to pass. She raced into the space in front of the goal crease, deked Wolverines goalie Maya Santa-Maria and placed a shot past the keeper’s stick.
Clevenger scored again one minute later. She dodged to her right and fired a low shot that nestled inside the net. Her final tally happened in similar style to her second when she beat new Michigan net minder Erin O’Grady on another low shot.
Clevenger poses two threats for Maryland’s dangerous attack. Shaylan Ahearn compared her to a point guard in basketball due to her shooting and passing prowess. Her goal-scoring numbers are down from previous seasons, but Saturday’s hat trick shows what Clevenger is capable of.
The Terps get routine input from Leubecker, Edmondson and May. Adding consistent goals from four attackers will help bolster Maryland’s shooting percentage, which hovers around 40 percent.
“We have people like Hannah, we have people like [Eloise] and even Kori, who are such big threats that when we can play off of them,” Ahearn said. “It’s going to lead to a really good offense.”
