No. 9 Maryland women’s lacrosse dominates William & Mary, cruising to 20-5 win

Hannah Leubecker stood at the eight meter mark about halfway through the second quarter. She charged at the keeper and buried her twelfth goal of the year into the net to extend the Terps’ lead to nine. 

Maryland women’s lacrosse breezed past William & Mary in Williamsburg on Wednesday, 20-5, in an offensive explosion that saw 10 different Terps score a goal, with seven scoring multiple. The Terps (5-1) piled on the offensive pressure, attempting 35 shots compared to just 14 attempts from the Tribe (3-4). 

“I think we shot really well,” coach Cathy Reese said. “This was our first game that we were over 50 percent in shooting, which was great.”

William and Mary struck first when Ainsley Huizenga found just enough space in the midst of the Terps’ defense and scored. That lead was all the Tribe had, as Maryland quickly evened the match on its next possession with a Libby May goal.  

May was a threat throughout the match and terrorized the William & Mary defense with her quick movements and well placed shots. She netted two goals in the contest. 

Maryland started to dominate as the first quarter continued. Back to back goals from Leubecker broke the match open and put the Terps ahead big. Leubecker had her way all day. She led Maryland with three goals on the day and also added two assists. 

“Hannah’s a great dodger,” Reese said. “And her ability to see her teammates while dodging I think is something she continues to get better on.” 

The Terps didn’t let up in the second quarter and continued to score on seemingly every shot — everything their offense did against the Tribe’s defense worked. The offensive unit was sharp, making smart passes to players in dangerous positions who efficiently converted their shots into goals. 

Eloise Clevenger slung a shot past the goalkeeper and May added another to push Maryland’s lead to 5-2 just halfway through the first quarter. 

The Terps had struggled to capitalize in player-up opportunities with only six women-up goals on the season, but Hailey Russo and Kori Edmondson both capitalized and netted goals from that position. 

Midfielder and draw specialist Shaylan Ahearn also added an opening frame goal. The graduate student continued to show her status as one of the best faceoffs players in the country, controlling 19 of 29 draws to give the Terps a clear advantage in possessions. 

Another issue for Maryland so far this season had been a lack of free position goals, with only four so far. But Leubecker scored on a powerful shot from the spot in the second quarter, pushing the advantage to 11-2.

Russo, Edmonson and Ahearn all scored their second goal in the second frame to grow the Terps’ lead to a dominant double-digit mark.

Sophomore Maggie Weisman has been emerging recently as another dangerous player in a Maryland squad full of stars. She scored her fifth goal of the year late in the first half, the seventh Terp to score over the first 30 minutes. Weisman went on to add two third quarter goals and score the first hat trick of her career. 

The game slowed down in the second half as both squads settled into the result. Victoria Hensh scored in the fourth quarter and Jaylen Rosga added a late brace as Maryland secured the victory. 

Paige Gilbert was the main offensive force for William and Mary, one of the lone players to find some success against Maryland — she scored twice and attempted a team-high four shots in the first half. But the Terps mostly contained and prevented the Tribe offense from picking up meaningful momentum. 

“I think as the game went on, we started communicating really well which ended up resulting in them scoring less goals,” defender Meghan Ball said. 

William & Mary scored two second half goals, but all that changed was the final score as Maryland maintained its firm control on the match to secure the win.