Maryland women’s lacrosse aims to return to excellence this season after disappointing end to 2023

Maryland women’s lacrosse enters 2024 with high expectations despite a disappointing end to last season. 

The Terps began 2023 ranked No. 2 in the country but stumbled early on with a 20-9 loss to top-5 Syracuse. 

Maryland struggled to find consistency throughout the year from that point on. The Terps lost seven games overall, tied for the most defeats suffered by decorated head coach Cathy Reese during her time at College Park. 

Reese’s team eventually bowed out in the second round of the NCAA Tournament after squandering a late lead and five unanswered goals to James Madison. The result marked only the second time under Reese that Maryland failed to reach the Elite Eight. 

Despite those failures, the Terps enter this season ranked No. 9 in the nation and expect to return to the forefront of national championship contention with an experienced squad. 

“It’s such a great team this year,” attacker Hannah Leubecker said on her decision to return for one more season. “I wanted to be a part of it and looking to get that natty in the last year.” 

Leubecker is part of an Maryland offense that returns over 95 percent of its production from last season. She struggled with nagging injuries last season but still managed to net 40 goals. 

“She’s such an explosive player,” Reese said. “So, you have her back on the field, you just become a more difficult team to defend.” 

The Terps also return dynamic attacker Libby May, who led the team with 62 goals last year. She appeared on the 2023 Tewaaraton Watch List and was named to the All-Big Ten second team in each of the past two seasons.

Seniors Eloise Clevenger — who netted a team-high 73 points in 2023 — and Chrissy Thomas, and sophomore Kori Edmondson all figure to play key roles in the attack as well. Reese said that the ability of everyone in her offense to do something different well will make Maryland successful this season.

But the Terps’ offense is still a work in progress despite their wealth of experience. The attack is still working on the fundamentals and keeping it simple in practice, Reese said. 

“We’re definitely not where we need to be or want to be at this point, but that’s kind of a cool thing too because we have so much room to grow,” Reese said. 

On the defensive side, Maryland needed to restock following the departure of stalwarts Abby Bosco and Maddie Sanchez. 

The Terps went out in the transfer portal this offseason and brought in Meghan Ball, the reigning Big Ten Defender of the Year. Ball arrives at College Park following a stellar four years at Rutgers, where she became the program’s all-time leader in career caused turnovers (154) and draw controls (308) and earned three first team All-Big Ten selections. 

“Meg has integrated herself into the defense so seamlessly,” goalkeeper Emily Sterling said. “She’s become a leader back there. Everybody, all the younger players, everybody like me, is looking up to her now.” 

The addition of Colorado transfer Sophie Halus adds more experience and talent to the back end. Reese expects sophomore defenders Neve O’Ferrall and Kennedy Major to take big steps forward with a year of action under their belts. 

And Sterling, the two-time Big Ten Goaltender of the Year, continues to provide a steady presence protecting the net. 

“Emily is excellent in the cage, kind of organizing everything and making sure we’re doing the right thing,” Reese said.

Maryland kicks off its season Jan. 9th at Saint Joseph’s before heading to No. 5 Syracuse looking to avenge last season’s early loss. 

“It’s hard right now, we gotta play someone,” Reese said. “We’ll be challenged in a different way than maybe we are in practice and that’ll teach us what we need to work on going forward.”