No. 2-seed Maryland women’s lacrosse vs. No. 7-seed Ohio State Big Ten quarterfinals preview

No. 2-seed Maryland women’s lacrosse (12-5, 4-2 Big Ten) takes on No. 7-seed Ohio State (5-11, 0-6 Big Ten) Saturday afternoon in College Park in the first round of the Big Ten tournament.

The Terps ended the regular season on a two-game skid, but had won nine consecutive games before that — topped off with a win over the Buckeyes, who did not enjoy the same level of success this season, finishing with their second-worst record since 2006.

But they hung in with No. 1 Northwestern — who defeated Maryland in the season finale — in their second-to-last game of the regular season, only losing 17-11. Despite a winless conference season, they’ve lost close games to multiple Big Ten opponents.

“They play defense that can make it difficult to find openings in, and we know that their attack is going to go hard,” coach Cathy Reese said.

Ohio State’s season would be over now in previous years, but the Big Ten permanently switched to a format including all seven teams in its conference tournament starting this season. Previously, only the top four teams advanced to the tournament. 

The conference experimented with a seven-team field in 2021 — a year in which teams only played other Big Ten teams due to the pandemic — and the coaches voted to keep the format starting this year, according to Reese.

“Our conference has been super competitive all around, all of the games,” Reese said. “That’s why … you gotta show up and compete.”

In the Terps and the Buckeyes’ last meeting on April 8, Maryland dominated its way to an 18-7 victory at home. It was a performance Reese called her squad’s most complete effort of the year.

Maryland’s defense showed out against Ohio State, holding it to seven goals on just 16 shots. The Buckeyes were pressured heavily trying to move the ball around, which the Terps turned into 12 caused turnovers and just three assisted-goals allowed.

“It’s good because you’re familiar with your opponent, but at the same time, you gotta treat it like it’s a new game,” graduate student defender Marge Donovan said.

Ohio State fell victim to an all-time performance from junior attacker Eloise Clevenger, who set the Maryland single-game program record with eight assists. 

Eight Terps scored in the outing, but it was senior attacker Hannah Leubecker and junior midfielder Shannon Smith who led the team with four goals each. The Terps could use that level of contribution from the pair of key pieces — neither player has scored since.

Maryland held senior attacker Nicole Ferrara to only two goals, but she’s been a workhorse for the Buckeyes’ offense all season. She leads the group with 38 goals, and is often set up by second team All-Conference junior attacker Jamie Lasda — Ohio State’s assist leader by a wide margin.

Its defense allows the most goals in the Big Ten, but junior goalkeeper Regan Alexander is a bright spot and a unique challenge for offensive coordinators. She has an above-average save percentage of .473, and leads the Buckeyes in both ground balls and caused turnovers. Alexander is the only Big Ten goalie to lead their team in either category.

Maryland will also have a strong advantage in the draw circle against Ohio State, the Big Ten’s worst team on draw controls. The Terps have the country’s fourth-best draw percentage on the year.

Opening draw is scheduled for 4:30 pm. The winner will play either No. 3-seed Johns Hopkins or No. 6-seed Rutgers on Thursday in Columbus.

“I love the postseason. It’s so exciting. It’s a whole new season,” Donovan said.” All the rankings, all the gossip, all the stuff you hear, it goes all out the window. It’s anyone’s game.”