Kate Sites led the scoring effort with four goals.
With just over four minutes left in the game, No. 5 Maryland women’s lacrosse clung to a two-goal advantage against a relentless No. 12 Michigan squad. After scoring on their last possession, the Wolverines had a chance to trim the Terps’ lead to one.
Michigan attacker Ava Class held the ball at the top of the eight-meter arc with a free-position opportunity, looking for her game-high seventh score of the game. The graduate student sprinted at goalie JJ Suriano and fired the ball high, straight into the netting of Suriano’s stick.
Despite struggling to hold off the Wolverines’ high-powered attack, Suriano tallied her seventh save to halt Michigan’s momentum, sealing Maryland’s 14-12 victory Sunday in College Park.
“JJ came through big,” head coach Cathy Reese said. “Anytime you can make a save on a shot from the eight-meter or man-up opportunity, it’s a big one. It’s a huge momentum change for the group. They were big plays in big moments.”
The Terps’ attack knew a daunting challenge awaited, facing off against the eighth-best defensive unit in the country. Michigan’s goalie Erin O’Grady — the nation’s save percentage leader — has been a force to be reckoned with in net this season.
However, Kate Sites had her number in the first quarter. After recording a goal in all but one game this season, the graduate student led the charge offensively. With 11:23 left in the opening period, Sites attacked her defender 1-on-1 and rifled a tight-angle shot into the far corner. That was her first of three goals in just under 10 minutes of play.
“It’s a different defense than anybody we played all year,” head coach Cathy Reese said. “Everybody does well against different things and their strengths shine in different games. Kate’s strengths as a player really shined through today … When she was in space, she shot well. She finished on opportunities and showed up to play today.”
While Sites’ experience proved pivotal against the Wolverines, it was the freshman class that opened the Terps’ scoring.
Nearly a minute after Michigan’s first goal of the game, Kayla Gilmore patiently waited behind the net looking for an option. She spotted Shelby Sullivan unmarked cutting in front of goal, who caught the pass and snuck the ball past O’Grady to tie the score.
Her counterpart, Emma Abbazia, notched a first-half brace and answered the bell whenever Maryland needed a response. Abbazia’s opening score gave the Terps’ a two-goal advantage late in the first quarter.
Despite this, the Wolverines’ three-headed attack monster of Class, Jill Smith and Kaylee Dyer couldn’t be contained. The trio kept Michigan within striking distance throughout the game, accounting for 11 of its 12 goals.
Maryland boasted a 5-4 lead after the first frame, marking its third five-goal first quarter output in four contests.
After being held scoreless in the opening period, Kori Edmondson — the Terps’ leading scorer with 18 goals — ignited the offense in the middle two quarters. The junior collected two goals and an assist.
Maisy Clevenger followed suit, gathering two crucial goals to halt the Wolverines’ momentum.
While Maryland’s offense was clicking on all cylinders, its faceoff unit controlled the circle and provided it with extra possessions. Sullivan, Russo, Edmondson and Gilmore fueled the Terps’ domination, winning 17 of the 27 draw controls.
“Their draw unit is very good,” Reese said. “Proud of our girls and how they fought. When Kori went out, Lexi [Dupcak] came in and did a great job on the circle as well. I think people just really stepped up and embraced new opportunities when they were available to them.”
But Maryland’s 18 turnovers kept Michigan afloat and limited its offensive production. After a sluggish start in net, O’Grady looked more like last season’s National Goalie of the Year as the game grew on. The senior recorded 10 crucial saves, including six in the first quarter to limit the Terps to just five goals.
As was the story all game long, Michigan just wouldn’t go away. Maryland’s 13-10 lead heading into the final quarter was quickly cut to two. The Wolverines had all the momentum, but Jordyn Lipkin’s lone goal of the game quickly halted it.
The Terps made key stops down the stretch, clinging to its lead and holding the Wolverines scoreless in the final six minutes of play.
“We’re selfless and playing for each other and everyone has their back,” Sites said. “I think just each game different people are stepping up. Without [my teammates], I couldn’t have been successful today.”
Six Maryland players found the back of the net, canceling out Michigan’s high-powered offense.
Three things to know
1. Gritty win. Despite 18 turnovers, three yellow cards, two green cards and 12 free-position attempts conceded, the Terps picked up their sixth consecutive victory in a pivotal Big Ten game. Maryland now heads into its toughest regular season game against No. 3 Northwestern with complete momentum.
2. Home sweet home. The Terps started the season with a four-game homestand before traveling on the road for their next two. In a game that was expected to start at 1 p.m., but began at 11 a.m. due to inclement weather, the Maryland faithful showed up and willed the team to the finish line.
3. Sites’ season-high four goals. After fighting for playing time throughout her time at Maryland, Sites has earned herself a starting role this season. She has made the most of it, scoring seven goals in the first six games. Sunday’s contest was likely her best outing, tying her career-high with four goals on seven shots.