Defending national champion Maryland isn't in the Atlantic Coast Conference with North Carolina anymore, but their women's lacrosse rivalry couldn't be stronger as they prepare to meet in the NCAA final for the second time in three years. The Terps lost the 2013 title game to North Carolina in triple overtime. Last year, they beat Syracuse in the final; the injury-riddled Tar Heels fell in the quarterfinals.
North Carolina suffered a few key injuries again this season, including North Carroll graduate Brittney Coppa's second torn ACL in two years, but the injuries haven't hurt as much, and Coppa, a senior, scored a goal in Friday's 16-7 semifinal win over third-seeded Duke.
The Terps are fully healthy as they go for their 13th national championship, and 12th in the NCAA. In its 10-8 semifinal win over Syracuse, Maryland dominated the draws 14-6, and the Terps outshot the Orange 29-16, including 22-8 in the first half. Six shots hit the pipe in the first half, and after Syracuse took a brief one-goal lead, Maryland took control with a 6-1 run through the middle of the game. A huge advantage in possession and four saves from goalie Alex Fitzpatrick helped the Terps extend their lead to four with 19 minutes left.
The Tar Heels broke open their semifinal with a six-goal run through the middle of the second half for a 13-5 lead with 13 minutes left. In February, the Terps, who moved the Big Ten Conference this season, defeated North Carolina, 13-11, to improve their series lead to 22-12, but the Tar Heels have beaten the Terps in two of the past three meetings.
Maryland has allowed 11 goals only once, and the Tar Heels have allowed more than 13 only once. Their defenses have grown into two of the stingiest in Division I, with the Terps allowing 7.24 goals per game and North Carolina allowing 7.9.
Both units face a challenge from balanced offenses. The Terps have four players with 60 or more points: McDonogh graduates Taylor Cummings (60 goals, 35 assists) and Megan Whittle (64 goals, four assists), South River graduate Brooke Griffin (46, 20) and Marriotts Ridge graduate Zoe Stukenberg (38, 22). None of the Tar Heels has 60 points, but nine have 24 or more, led by Aly Messinger (41, 18).
Draws, however, could make the difference. Cummings, Casey Pepperman (McDonogh) and Erin Collins combined to win 12 against the Orange and helped the Terps to an 18-8 advantage in the first North Carolina game.