Maryland women’s lacrosse uses a big second half to beat Boston College, 21-13

In the first game at the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex this season, No. 1 Maryland women’s lacrosse defeated Boston College 21-13.

The same Terps on offense were hot all game, led by Caroline Wannen and Zoe Stukenberg, who scored five goals each and combined for seven assists. Stukenberg’s nine points were a career high, and all of Wannen’s eight points came in the second half.

Elsewhere, Caroline Steele scored four goals of her own, Kali Hartshorn and Megan Whittle each had a hat trick. Nadine Hadnagy also scored a goal.

The first half saw a very even level of play, as both teams each traded a four-goal run. While the Terps came out hot, the final 15 minutes of the half included them defending their own territory the majority of the time.

Maryland began to take control in the second half, opening it with a 6-0 run. The Terps doubled their first half production in just 12 minutes after the intermission. For the rest of the game, Maryland and Boston College traded goals multiple times, as the Terps refused to allow the Eagles to get on any more runs.

This was the first time Maryland scored 21 goals since the 2012 season. As a result, the Terps made it difficult on Boston College goalkeeping. The Eagles played two goalkeepers, as they normally do, but they combined to let up 21 goals on 28 shots. On the other side, Megan Taylor was solid but not spectacular, allowing 13 goals on 20 shots.

Besides the scoreboard, the rest of the game was pretty even, as Maryland only had four more draw controls and one more turnover than Boston College.

Maryland stays home for a big matchup vs. No. 4 Syracuse on Saturday afternoon.

Three Things to Know

1. The Terps played stifling defense. Maryland held the nation’s top scorer Kate Weeks to one goal a week after she scored six. Additionally, Boston College often had to use the majority of the shot clock, unable to find any holes in the Terps defense. They played better than the 13 goals they allowed.
2. Caroline Steele is heating up. The sophomore scored four goals, tripling her total on the season. She scored 38 goals last season, so after a bit of a slow start it seems she is starting to find her groove this year.
3. Maryland’s second-half success continued. The Terps dominated the second half again, outscoring Boston College by eight goals. It all started with Hadnagy’s goal, which was the first time all season a defender scored for the team.