MM 10.27: Maryland field hockey moves up to No. 4 in NFHCA coaches poll

Maryland field hockey was ranked at the No. 4 spot in the most recent NFHCA coaches poll, the program announced on Twitter on Tuesday. The ranking is officially the team’s highest of the season.

The Terrapins were ranked as the No. 8 team last week before defeating Michigan State in 4-0 shutout win and then upsetting No. 2 Michigan by a score of 2-1. They have three straight games and five of their last six, despite playing in the Big Ten, which has shown itself to be one of the toughest conferences in the nation. Six of the top-10 teams in Tuesday’s rankings compete in the Big Ten.

Maryland currently holds an overall record of 12-5, with seven wins coming against ranked teams. All five losses came against teams ranked in the top-10 and were decided by two goals or less. The Terps are ranked No. 3 in RPI, a statistic that ranks teams based on the strength of their win-loss record.

This week, senior forward Taylor Mason was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week and graduate student goalkeeper Noelle Frost was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week. Frost has been solid in goal in her sixth season for the Terps, notching six shutouts thus far. Senior midfielder Bibi Donraadt leads the team with nine goals and is tied with graduate student midfielder Julianna Tornetta for the team lead with six assists.

In other news

Maryland women’s basketball received a ton of preseason recognition earlier on Tuesday.

Maryland women’s soccer coach Ray Leone will not have his contract renewed and the program will begin a national search for a new head coach.

Senior defensive back Jakorian Bennett, junior defensive lineman Tyler Baylor and senior defensive lineman Greg Rose will be Maryland football’s captains for this Saturday’s homecoming game against Indiana.

Former Maryland women’s lacrosse star and three-time Tewaaraton Award winner Taylor Cummings was featured on the cover of USA Lacrosse Magazine’s November edition.

Maryland volleyball released a highlight video of its 3-1 victory over Michigan State on Saturday.

Ahead of Tuesday’s game against Penn State, Maryland men’s soccer forward Justin Gielen visited the PSU All-Sports Museum to see an exhibit that included his grandfather, a former All-American and national champion for the Nittany Lions.