Rutgers University
Maryland
Women’s Lacrosse Faces No. 1 Maryland Saturday in College Park
Apr 02 | Women's Lacrosse
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers women's lacrosse (8-4, 2-1) wraps up a four-game road swing at No. 1 Maryland (12-0, 4-0) on Saturday in College Park. First draw from SECU Stadium is set for noon and will stream on Big Ten Plus.
This weekend's game against the Terrapins - ranked No. 1 in the IWLCA Coaches Poll, USA Lacrosse Magazine Top 20 and Kane Division I Media Poll - marks just the seventh time the Scarlet Knights will face the No. 1 team in the country since the 2008 season and first matchup with the nation's top team since 2017.
RU brings a three-game winning streak to College Park, which includes back-to-back Big Ten Conference wins against No. 25 Ohio State and USC.
| Last Time Out |
• Rutgers went 2-0 on its trip to the West Coast, with victories at USC (15-8) and San Diego State (14-8).
• Freshman Kate Theofield produced a combined 11 points on eight goals and three assists in the two wins, while sophomore goalkeeper Stella Quilty picked up the first two victories of her collegiate career in cage thanks to a combined 25 saves.
| Building a Resume |
• As of Wednesday, the Scarlet Knights possess the 12th-hardest schedule in the NCAA, as their previous opponents own a combined .639 winning percentage. RU is also ranked No. 16 in the latest RPI.
• Thanks to its three consecutive road wins, Rutgers received votes in the IWLCA Coaches Poll, the USA Lacrosse Magazine Top 20 and the KANE Women's Division I Media Poll (IL Women) for the second consecutive week.
| Tough Month Ahead |
• The Scarlet Knights face four ranked opponents in their final five games of the regular season. The stretch includes three consecutive matchups with top six IWLCA opponents, as RU's five remaining opponents have a combined .789 winning percentage – the third-highest percentage in the country.
Remaining Ranked Opponents
No. 1 Maryland (4/4)
No. 3 Michigan (4/9)
No. 6 Northwestern (4/15)
No. 21 Penn State (4/18)
• The Scarlet Knights have already faced five opponents ranked in this week's IWLCA Coaches Poll. The full list includes No. 1 Maryland, No. 3 Michigan, No. 6 Northwestern, No. 9 Johns Hopkins, No. 12 Stony Brook, No. 18 Army, No. 20 Princeton, No. 21 Penn State and No. 25 Ohio State.
| #SCTop10 Regulars |
• Rutgers has appeared on SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays four times this spring thanks to highlight goals from Theofield and sophomore Delainey Sutley.
- Delainey Sutley vs. Monmouth
- Kate Theofield at No. 14 Princeton
- Kate Theofield vs. Hofstra
- Kate Theofield vs. No. 8 Johns Hopkins
| Dixon the Facilitator |
• Senior Lily Dixon leads the Big Ten in assists per game (3.17) and assists (38), ranking sixth in seventh in the country, respectively. Dixon has dished out multiple assists 10 times this spring and has facilitated on four or more goals five times.
• Dixon needs just two assists to pass Steph Kelly (2022) for the program's single season assist record. The Grasonville, Maryland, native already set the program career assist record and became the first Scarlet Knight to go over 100 helpers in a career.
| Buck Shines on the Draw |
• With 103 draw controls this spring, senior Katie Buck become just the sixth student-athlete in program history to go over the century mark in a single season. Her 8.67 draw controls per game ranks second in the Big Ten and 16th nationally this spring.
• Buck also became the fourth player in program history to go over 200 career draw controls. Buck ranks fourth all-time with 203 draw controls, needing 27 to pass Cathy Pacha (1982-83) for third.
| Ling Midseason All-American |
• Sophomore Caroline Ling was named a Nike Lacrosse Midseason Media All-American, announced Wednesday by ILWomen. Ling earned honorable mention laurels at attack, marking six consecutive season Rutgers women's lacrosse has landed at least one student-athlete on the prestigious list under head coach Melissa Lehman.
• Ling has enjoyed a breakout season, tallying a team-high 62 points on 43 goals and 19 assists this spring. Her 43 goals rank third in the Big Ten and seventh nationally, while her 3.58 goals per game are 13th in the NCAA. Ling became just the 12th player in program history to hit 60 or more points in a season.
| Youth Movement |
• Rutgers has had quality offensive production from its sophomores and freshmen this season. Underclassmen have accounted for 79 percent of the team's goals (128/162) and 68 percent of the team's points (183/269) this spring.
| About Maryland |
• The consensus No. 1 in the country enters the weekend with a 12-0 record, beating No. 21 Penn State, 14-13, on Sunday in College Park. The Terrapins own wins over five ranked teams this season and have outscored their opponents, 170-111, this spring.
• Maryland owns a top 30 scoring offense (14.17, 17th) and defense (9.25, 28th) this season. Its 15.75 draws per game rank ninth nationally.
• JJ Suriano leads the Big Ten and is third nationally with 123 saves and a .530 save percentage. Her 9.29 goals against average is 24th nationally. Lauren Lapointe is third in the Big Ten with 63 points and 43 goals. Kori Edmondson is also top 10 in the conference with 32 goals this season.
• Maryland leads the all-time series, 28-2. RU's last win over Maryland took place on April 27, 2024, when the Scarlet Knights defeated then-No. 7 UMD, 9-8, in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament.
• Rutgers features four Maryland natives on its roster – Lily Dixon (Grasonville), Erin Devine (Clarksville), Cate O'Ferrall (Catonsville) and Charlee Thomas (Towson).
| Next Time Out |
• Rutgers returns home for the first time in a month to host No. 3 Michigan on April 9 in Piscataway. First draw from SHI Stadium is set for 6 p.m. and will stream on Big Ten Plus.
