Preview: No. 10 Maryland women’s lacrosse prepares for Wednesday battle against No. 17 Princeton

No. 10 Maryland women’s lacrosse (8-3) wraps up its non-conference schedule against No. 17 Princeton (4-3) Wednesday night in a battle between two high-powered offenses.

It was hard to envision the Terps’ attack turning into a force by the end of the month based on their start to the season. From the beginning of the year until their March 5 loss to No. 4 Denver, they averaged 11.5 goals a game — not a bad number, but not a dominant one either.

They’re averaging 16.4 goals a game since then, and look increasingly confident and in sync on the field.

“Stepping up our communication, seeing how it works well when we are communicating, maybe how it doesn’t work as well or not,” senior attacker Hannah Leubecker said. “Continuing that just makes everything better.”

The Tigers are tasked with slowing that red-hot group down. 

Anchoring their defense this season is freshman goalkeeper Amelia Hughes, who’s blossomed into a star already in her young career. She was the sixth-ranked goalkeeper in the Class of 2022, and has skyrocketed to third in the nation with 12.3 saves per game.

But the Princeton defense has struggled in front of her as they try to replace their top defender from last season, Marge Donovan, who now plays for Maryland.

Donovan returned to her home state for her graduate season, leaving behind a legacy as a Tiger that won’t soon be forgotten. She’s the reigning Ivy League Defender of the Year, and left Princeton as its all-time draw control leader despite only playing three full seasons and not manning the draw circle. 

The Tiger defense has taken a step back in her absence. It was a middle of the pack unit in 2022, allowing the fourth-fewest goals per game in the Ivy League. This year, they’re ranked dead last in the conference in the same category.

But the biggest void left unfilled comes on draws. 

Donovan secured 112 last year, which led the team by 55. That Tigers team averaged 13.2 controls a game; this year, they sit at a conference-worst 11.9. Their .393 draw control percentage is 11th worst in the country — and a full .114 below the Ivy League’s next lowest mark.

Maryland has the overwhelming advantage in this aspect. In fact, one could argue the draw is its greatest strength; its .635 draw percentage is the second-best in the NCAA. 

And Donovan isn’t even a major part of the equation. She’s tied for fifth on the team with just seven draw controls on the season.

“[Senior midfielder and draw specialist Shaylan Ahearn] is one of the best in the country at it, if not the best,” coach Cathy Reese said.

Princeton’s offense entered the season with the same problem as its defense: It needed to replace its leader. For that unit, it was Kyla Sears. The Tigers’ all-time leader in both goals and assists finished the year with a team-high 100 points — second place had 58. She graduated after the group led the Ivy League in goals per game in 2022.

But unlike their defense, they’ve taken the change in stride. They don’t have a clear top option, but have a bigger group of dangerous scorers that make up the difference. Five players with double-digit goals lead a Tiger offense that ranks first in the conference in scoring offense.

Donovan’s new defensive group faltered last week against Penn, allowing double-digit goals for the first time in seven games. But “Defender U” is as dominant as ever this year, and off its first full week of rest this season, it’s up for the challenge that Princeton provides. 

“Two games a week is so so fun, but sometimes our bodies are like ‘You need to slow down’,” graduate student defender Abby Bosco said. “Reset, regroup and we’re looking at our next game.”

Face-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. at SECU Stadium.