COLLEGE PARK, MD -- The excitement is palpable as the Maryland Terrapins prepare to host the Penn Quakers in the first round of the NCAA Women's Lacrosse Tournament on May 11, 2025, at noon. This matchup, taking place at the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex, showcases two teams eager to make their mark in the postseason.
Maryland, seeded sixth in the tournament, enters the game with a record of 15-5 overall and 7-1 in the Big Ten Conference. The Terps are coming off a decisive 16-7 victory over Fairfield in the first round, where standout Lauren LaPointe shone brightly, scoring a career-high five goals, including a hat trick in the first half. Not to be outdone, Kori Edmondson contributed with three goals and two assists, marking her 31st career hat trick, with a team-leading 14 of those this season.
Meanwhile, Kayla Gilmore led the Terps in draw controls, achieving a career-high 11 wins against Fairfield, a notable feat considering her opponent was Brynn Donnelly, the single-season record holder for draw controls. As a team, Maryland dominated the draw circle, winning 15 of 27 draws, a crucial aspect of their game strategy.
Under the guidance of head coach Cathy Reese, Maryland has established a formidable presence in NCAA Tournament history. The Terps have an impressive 29-2 record in NCAA Tournament games played in College Park, and this year marks their 35th consecutive postseason appearance, the longest streak in the country. Maryland leads the nation with 40 NCAA Tournament appearances and boasts a remarkable 82 wins in the tournament.
Maryland's legacy in women's lacrosse is unmatched, with 14 NCAA Championships to their name, the most of any program in the history of college women's lacrosse. The Terps have claimed four of the last ten championships (2014, 2015, 2017, 2019) and reached the NCAA semifinals 12 times under Reese's tenure.
On the other hand, the Penn Quakers, with a record of 11-6 overall and 5-2 in the Ivy League, are also coming off a strong performance, having defeated No. 21 Army 16-6 in their first-round matchup. Catherine Berkery was a standout for Penn, recording a career-high eight points and reaching the 100-point milestone for her career. Goalkeeper Orly Sedransk was instrumental in the victory, matching her career high with 14 saves, while Maggie Bankowski contributed by winning eight draw controls, marking the 100th of her collegiate career.
The matchup between Maryland and Penn is the 31st meeting between the two programs, with Maryland historically dominating the series, leading 26-4 over the past 45 years. The teams first clashed in 1980, with Maryland claiming a narrow victory of 5-4. As the Terps prepare for this clash, they are eager to maintain their historical advantage and continue their journey in the tournament.
In addition to their on-field success, Maryland's players have been recognized for their individual achievements. Edmondson was named the 2025 Big Ten Midfielder of the Year, while Gilmore earned the title of Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Edmondson's impressive season includes 65 points, with 54 goals, and she has been named Big Ten Midfielder of the Week five times. Gilmore, a freshman midfielder, has made an immediate impact with 14 goals and nine assists, showcasing her talent and skill.
Chrissy Thomas has also made headlines, becoming the 66th player in Maryland women's lacrosse history to reach the 100-point mark for her career. As of May 10, 2025, she has accumulated 155 points, ranking her 47th on the all-time list. Kori Edmondson has also made strides, recording her 100th career goal against No. 3 Northwestern, placing her 46th on Maryland's career points list.
Head coach Cathy Reese, now in her 19th season, has cemented her legacy as the winningest coach in program history, boasting a remarkable 346-52 record. Her leadership has guided Maryland to five national championships, 11 Final Fours, and a staggering 22 conference championships across both the ACC and Big Ten. Reese's contributions to the sport were recently recognized with her induction into the IWLCA Hall of Fame, joining former Maryland coaches Cindy Timchal and Suzanne Tyler.
Maryland's dominance extends beyond the individual accolades, as they celebrated their 800th program win with a victory over No. 8 Johns Hopkins in their regular season finale. This milestone solidified their status as the winningest program in women's lacrosse history, with an all-time record of 803-167-3, reflecting an impressive winning percentage of 82.7%.
As the Terps prepare to face Penn, all eyes will be on College Park as they aim to advance further in the tournament. With their storied history, a talented roster, and a committed coaching staff, Maryland is poised for another exciting chapter in their NCAA Tournament journey. Fans can catch all the action live on ESPN+ as the Terps look to continue their legacy of excellence in women's lacrosse.
