Maryland women’s lacrosse routs UMBC, 18-1

BALTIMORE — Maryland women’s lacrosse shined during its second game in four days, defeating UMBC 18-1 on Wednesday.

The No. 2 Terrapins rattled off 35 shots, 30 of which were on target, and allowed just eight shots for the Retrievers. Grad transfer Erica Evans and freshman Julia Hoffman both had hat tricks for Maryland in this one, while Jen Giles, Hannah Warther, Darby Welsh, Hannah Glaros and Grace Griffin added two goals each.

Maryland dominated the opening half, taking a 4-0 lead in the first 15 minutes, including two goals from Evans. UMBC got on the board in the 16th minute, but the Terrapins responded with five more goals to end the half. Four of those came in a six-minute span, and Giles added another in the final minute of the period.

The 9-1 halftime score stands as Maryland’s largest lead halfway through any game this season, and the first time the Terrapins allowed less than four goals in the first 15 minutes. Five different Terrapins scored, while Megan Taylor also added five saves on six opportunities before being replaced at the half.

Maryland’s bench began to empty in the second half, as freshman goalkeeper Maddie McSally stepped in for her first minutes of her career, and freshmen attackers Hannah Glaros, Julia Hoffman and Darby Welsh all scored their first goals as Terrapins. Hoffman added two more goals down the stretch to notch a hat trick, and Glaros and Welsh each scored twice.

The Terrapins scored nine goals in the second frame, including a six goal run by freshmen alone. Maryland’s defense also allowed just one shot against in the second half, mostly thanks to a 9-1 advantage on draw controls.

Maryland visits Hofstra at noon ET Saturday.

Three things to know

1. Maryland’s offense got a chance to work out some wrinkles. This dominating victory stood as a chance for Cathy Reese and her team to figure out things offensively versus another team. After the game, Hoffman said Reese “was telling us to come out strong, especially with our shooting, just to work on getting 50 percent.” While the Retrievers didn’t offer much resistance, Maryland’s offense was clicking, as 30 of 35 shots were on target.

2. Draw controls were better. Maryland came into this game controlling just 48.7 percent of their draws, but finished this game with a 16-5 advantage. Lizzie Colson dominated with nine draw controls; nobody else on either team had more than three. Reese noted after the game that “a lot of times it’s about finding your groove” on draw controls, and the Terrapins were able to do just that in this one.

3. The Terrapins used this game to rest some players. Caroline Steele sat this game out to rest after Sunday’s double-overtime thriller against North Carolina, and as the score got out of hand, a number of freshmen saw the field in this one. “It was a lot of fun for our class because everybody was able to get out there today,” Hoffman said. “Everybody did great whether is was on offense or defense, or even Maddie McSally in goal, everybody contributed.” With Maryland playing again Saturday afternoon, the rest and exposure should be especially helpful.