Down by one against Denver entering the second half, a new face stood in the draw circle for No. 9 Maryland women’s lacrosse — attacker Hailey Russo.
The senior had not appeared in a game this season but played a crucial role in the Terps’ 14-10 win on Saturday. They won eight of nine third-quarter draws with Russo in the circle.
Maryland lost all four draw controls in the second quarter, prompting the change. It outscored Denver, 7-1, in the third quarter as a result.
“Hailey Russo is an experienced draw person for us … we’re really confident in what she can do, and she showed it today,” coach Cathy Reese said. “To have her back and able to play and contribute the way she did … that was crucial.”
Maryland and Denver both excelled in the draw circle heading into the contest, winning 63 and 57 percent of their respective draws.
[No. 9 Maryland women’s lacrosse uses explosive third quarter to surge past Denver, 14-10]
Throughout the early season, midfielders Kayla Gilmore and Alex Dorr led each team’s unit for the most part. The two started in the draw circle to begin the match, and Gilmore quickly gained an edge by flipping the ball to fellow freshman Shelby Sullivan.
But Denver coach Liza Kelly quickly adjusted, substituting Dorr for draw specialist Carly Frohnapfel. The junior prevented Gilmore from moving the ball to Sullivan by popping it straight up.
Denver’s change stifled Gilmore as she failed to win one draw all quarter. Maryland attempted to adjust by substituting Gilmore for freshman midfielder Devin Livingston, but Frohnapfel just did the same thing.
“We can’t get caught with our backs against the wall or caught back on our heels,” Reese said. “In the locker room, that’s what we talked about, is … we’re like a deer in headlights, [so] let’s step up.”
Maryland responded to its height disadvantage in the draw circle by putting in Russo. Reese said Russo would be an option in the draw circle ahead of this season, but with Livingston and Gilmore’s early season success, the coach didn’t need Russo until Saturday.
[Young duo guides Maryland women’s lacrosse on draw controls]
One of the biggest differences between Russo and the two freshmen midfielders is her height, as Russo is six feet tall. While the senior had not taken a draw for Maryland all season, she secured eight draw controls in each of her prior two seasons.
Both Russo’s experience and height proved essential to Maryland’s third-quarter draw success. Her height allowed her to match up well with Frohnapfel’s 5-foot-11 figure.
Russo’s dominance had an immediate impact on the game, helping Maryland kick-start its offense. Five of the Terps’ seven third-quarter goals were on the possession right after winning the draw.
Denver attempted to adjust multiple times throughout the quarter using four different draw control specialists, but it was to no avail.
“Those draws, they made a lot of difference,” Reese said. “For her first appearance this spring, to be what it was, that’s something this team really got behind and was super excited about.”
