Preview: No. 7 Maryland field hockey begins Big Ten play against No. 13 Rutgers

Photo courtesy of Allison Mize/Maryland Terrapins

No. 7 Maryland field hockey will open Big Ten action in College Park as it prepares for its fifth top-20 matchup in seven games against No. 13 Rutgers.

The Terps started the season well against top-20-ranked opponents, besting Louisville in overtime in their home opener and defeating Boston College in the Big Ten/ACC Cup. 

In those wins, Maryland’s depth shined, as the Terps got goals from four different players. The Terps have been held together on offense in the early season by its depth, as 11 players have recorded a goal. Maryland did not have a singular player to record multiple goals until the second half against Lock Haven when Fleur Knopert scored the first of four Maryland third-quarter goals. 

However, the Terps have struggled recently against ranked opponents, falling in back-to-back games against Duke and Virginia. 

While Duke and Virginia are better competition — both ranking inside the top five — Maryland lost both games by a score of 1-0. Despite this year’s Terps team having six returning players, they lack a go-to goal scorer. 

The final minutes against Virginia and Duke proved just that. With the goalie pulled in the final minutes, Maryland was unable to find an equalizer.

But coach Missy Meharg believes that playing a tough non-conference schedule is important for the team heading into Big Ten play.

“Years ago, I used to like to be pretty darn sure I was undefeated before weekend four,” Meharg said. “It’s been different going into the Big Ten because I want to make sure that we play really big teams to be prepared.”

Maryland will be extremely prepared heading into its Friday game against Rutgers having played four top-20 teams compared to one by Rutgers.

On offense, the Scarlet Knights have been aggressive, producing 44 shots on goal heading into Friday’s contest. Rutgers has also been efficient with its chances, scoring on over a third of its opportunities.

“I don’t think [we’ll] change anything too crazy,” defender Rayne Wright said on any adjustments Maryland’s defense will make. “We’re really honing in on our skills, not really what the other teams are bringing.”

The majority of Rutgers’s goals have come from Guillermina Causarano. The senior was named to the 2023 First Team All-Big Ten last season and currently leads her team in goals with five through the first five games. 

Causarano has been streaky this season, scoring in only two games this year, but when she has scored, it has come in bunches. Causarano scored two goals in the season opener and will head into College Park coming off a hat trick.

On defense, the Scarlet Knights are led by another First Team All-Big player in Puck Winter. The redshirt junior led the nation with 12 defensive saves and has continued her strong play into the 2024 season, leading the NCAA in defensive saves with three.

Outside of Winter, Rutgers’s defense has struggled to limit scoring opportunities in the early season, allowing four or more penalty corners in three of the first five games. 

The numerous penalty opportunities could allow Maryland to carry over its strong offensive performance against Lock Haven into Big Ten play, as the Terps have drawn 20 offensive penalty corners in their last two games. 

Maryland will look to secure its first Big Ten win of the season at home against Rutgers on Friday at 5 p.m.