Preview: No. 5 Maryland women’s lacrosse faces Drexel in home opener

No. 5 Maryland women’s lacrosse returns to the newly renovated Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex, known as The Plex, to face Drexel in its home opener on Wednesday.  

The Terps will play in their home stadium for the first time since 2022. The facilities have received significant upgrades — including a new video board and better locker rooms and training rooms. The previously 5,500 square foot facility was turned into a 17,193 square foot team house.

“When we moved back in in December, I think a lot of the players almost didn’t realize how great it is,” coach Cathy Reese said. “We walked back in and it’s like ‘Oh my god, we have everything that we need here.’ It’s nice to just have everything back in one central location. 

“It feels like home,” Hannah Leubecker said. “It’s so cool to walk down the halls and see all the history of past players, Tewaaraton winners, all the trophies, everything.” 

Maryland is looking to continue its momentum after a clutch double overtime top-five victory over Syracuse last time out.

The Terps’ defense was stout, holding the Orange to just eight goals and 24 shots. The unit came up with several big stops down the stretch, including forcing a shot clock violation late in the fourth quarter and preventing the Syracuse offense from scoring a game-winning goal over multiple possessions in overtime. 

Reese said one negative aspect of her squad’s performance was too many fouls and cards, which gave the Orange several man-up and free position opportunities. Maryland picked up seven cards and Syracuse scored twice off free position shots. 

On the offensive end, the Terps struggled at times including an over 20-minute scoring drought to close out the first half and continuing on into the beginning of the second. Then sophomore Kori Edmondson stepped up in a major way, ending the drought and going on to score a third quarter hat trick. 

“She brings so much passion, energy, and drive,” Leubecker said. “With drives like that, she really gets the whole offensive going.” 

Leubecker also scored a hatrick, including the goal that sent the game into overtime and the game-winner. 

Maryland faces a familiar opponent in its first midweek game of the season. The Terps defeated Drexel in the regular season and then again in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament last year. 

The Dragons are 2-1 this season, coming off a tightly contested 11-8 loss to No. 14 Penn after opening their season with wins over Binghamton and Wagner. 

Drexel is led on the offensive end by electric attacker Corinne Bednarik, who is second in the nation with 25 points through just three games. Bednarik is tied for fifth in the country with 13 goals and tied for first with 12 assists. 

“No matter who we play, what team, what player, our mindset is to go in and play team defense,” Maryland defender Meghan Ball said. “As long as we have each other’s backs, I think we’re unstoppable as a defensive unit.” 

Goalkeeper Jenika Cuocco has stepped up defensively for Dragons off her CAA Rookie of the Year freshman campaign last season. She’s recorded 36 saves while only allowing 20 goals this year, entering the matchup tied for fourth in the country in save percentage (64.3 percent).

Reese said the Terps need to be prepared to face challenges on both ends and continue to play as a team to have success against Drexel. The opening draw is set for 4 p.m. on Wednesday.