Maryland women’s lacrosse entered the 2025 campaign with questions about its young team, including how the Terps would replace midfielder Shaylan Ahearn in the draw circle.
But in the first month of the season, the Terps may have found a solution.
The No. 9 Terps have won about 63 percent of their draws in the first three games, largely because of freshmen midfielders Kayla Gilmore and Devin Livingston. It matches a similar pace from last season.
“I am happy with how these guys are progressing,” coach Cathy Reese said. “I’m happy about the effort they’re putting in to try to master this skill. I’m happy with how hard our circle people are working.”The two entered College Park as Inside Lacrosse’s No. 7 and No. 9 ranked freshmen, respectively. The duo was immediately tasked with replacing Ahearn’s production in the draw circle — a tough job, with Ahearn’s 432 draw controls at her career finish that landed her the second most in program history.
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But to fill the spot, the freshmen took tips straight from the best. The pair met Ahearn in the past alumni game, where they faced off against her in a short, 20 minute match.
“She gave us a few tips and tricks,” Livingston said. “We actually did the draw against her a few times [and] that was definitely very helpful. When I go up to take the draw, I think about what she says.”
They also worked with former midfielder Taylor Cummings, with the most draw controls in program history, in the fall, who also gave advice on the draw circle number.
The duo’s play in the draw circle has been the constant in the face of the Terps’ inconsistency on offense and defense. Maryland held an advantage in draw controls in every game this season and has forced teams to adjust.
In Maryland’s 15-9 season-opening loss against then-No. 6 Syracuse, Gilmore secured four draws and guided Maryland to a 10-4 draws advantage at halftime.
In the second half, the Orange adjusted in the draw circle by substituting junior attacker Meghan Rode for senior attacker Olivia Adamson. The adjustment worked as Syracuse held an 8-6 advantage in the second half.
[No. 9 Maryland women’s lacrosse dominates Saint Joseph’s, 18-7]
In Maryland’s 18-7 win over Saint Joseph’s, the duo forced the team to adjust its draw strategy. The Hawks attempted to force the ball toward the restraining lines rather than keep it in the draw circle — a tricky position to compete for control.
“Once it comes out of that center area, it becomes a 50-50 ball,” Reese said. “When you can make it a 50-50 ball, you got to dig down and find a way to compete, and I think that’s where they beat us on a few of those draws.”
Despite Saint Joseph’s adjustment, Maryland still held a draw control advantage in three of the four quarters.
The Terps will look to continue their early draw success into Saturday’s contest against Denver. The Pioneers have won 72 of 126 draw controls — posing a challenge for Maryland.
If Gilmore and Livingston were to falter in the circle, the Terps have other options, such as senior attacker Hailey Russo and freshman midfielder Ava Kitt.
“We’re prepared for four different draw people that we could rotate through if we need to,” Reese said. “That’s how we feel that we need to be prepared because you don’t know what you’re gonna go against.”
