The Terps secured their third ranked win of the season.
No. 7 Maryland women’s lacrosse has been prone to slow starts at times this season. Saturday’s contest against No. 18 USC was no different. After the first five minutes of play, the Terps trailed 3-1 and looked outmatched.
With all the momentum on the Trojans’ side, Maryland won its third consecutive draw control. However, this one proved pivotal. On the ensuing possession, the Terps made them pay.
Chrissy Thomas caught a pass on the edge of the 12-meter arc and rotated to the top of the attacking circle. The graduate student searched for her next option, and seconds later, she found it. Thomas spotted Jordyn Lipkin cutting toward the net, who finished off her second goal of the game past goalie Charlotte Morton.
While that would be the last goal in the opening quarter, Maryland notched nine scores in the second period. Behind 12 unanswered goals, the Terps flipped a two-goal deficit into a double-digit lead, cruising to a 16-8 victory Saturday in Los Angeles.
Kori Edmondson — Maryland’s (9-3, 4-1 Big Ten) usual leading scorer — has recorded three straight four-goal performances, but the junior recorded one of her worst performances, scoring one goal on six shots Saturday. It didn’t matter, though.
Thomas shouldered the offensive scoring load, showcasing her best game of the season. After distributing 11 assists in the first four games, she has tallied eight since then. Thomas returned to early-season form with three goals and four assists.
Despite being held scoreless for eight games, Lauren LaPointe looked more like the player she was recruited to be. The sophomore produced her second hat trick of the season.
While Thomas and LaPointe produced throughout the latter three quarters, Lipkin kept the Terps in the game early on. She scored both of Maryland goals in the first period, helping it trail just 3-2 heading into the second quarter.
However, the Terps’ dominance wasn’t always on display.
Before Maryland even had its first offensive possession, it faced a two-goal deficit. USC secured the opening two draw controls, resulting in goals from midfielders Kailey Pelkey and Hannah Barron.
But then the Terps’ faceoff unit took control. Entering Saturday’s contest, Maryland ranked 20th in the nation with a 56.9% draw control percentage. The Terps exceeded its season average with ease, collecting 18 of the 27 faceoffs.
And Maryland’s draw control success fueled its offensive surge, particularly in the second quarter. The Terps gathered nine of the 10 faceoffs, resulting in just three USC possessions throughout the second period.
JJ Suriano’s play in goal certainly helped the cause. After getting pulled in back-to-back games, the sophomore found more success against the Trojans. Suriano recorded seven saves and conceded eight goals.
Maryland also cleaned up its fouling struggles, committing just five fouls. The Terps allowed just two free-position opportunities, which resulted in one goal.
USC’s Maddie Dora has been one of the best attackers in the country this season. While she scored a goal early in the first quarter, Dora was held in check for large parts of the game. The senior scored her second and final goal with 26 seconds left.
Fellow attacker Isabelle Vitale mustered just one assist — one of her lowest outputs of the season. The nation’s top facilitator couldn’t generate the same offense she usually does, failing to set up her teammates.
After taking an 11-3 lead into halftime, Maryland coasted the rest of the way. Despite the Terps scoring one goal in the fourth quarter, the closest the Trojans got is the final outcome.
Three things to know
1. Freshmen contributions were key. Maryland’s freshmen class has been pivotal throughout the season, and Saturday was evidence of that. With the Terps’ offense humming, the youth joined the party. The trio of Emma Abbazia, Devin Livingston and Kayla Gilmore accounted for eight goals and two assists.
2. Efficient attack. Between Morton and Annie Shields, USC’s netminders couldn’t contain Maryland’s balanced attack. The Terps scored 16 goals on 21 shots on net, allowing the Trojans to record five saves.
3. West Coast sweep. After losing its two prior road games, Maryland flew across the country looking for some momentum. It got exactly that. The Terps secured wins over Oregon and USC, the program’s first-ever meeting against both schools. Maryland returns to the East Coast for a meeting with No. 9 Virginia on Wednesday.