Maryland has a 29-12-1 advantage all time against Princeton. But the programs will meet Saturday for the first time since 2006, when the Terps won, 11-6, in the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament.
The No. 10 Tigers (3-0) are seeking their first 4-0 start since 2010. Senior attackman Mike MacDonald leads a potent offense that is tied for seventh in Division I in scoring (14.7 goals per game). MacDonald ranks second in the country in points per game (6.3) and is tied for third in average assists (three).
The No. 9 Terps (3-1) have won two straight since falling to then-No. 14 Yale, 10-6, on Feb. 21. A defense that leads the nation in goals allowed per game (5.3) has been backstopped by redshirt junior goalkeeper Kyle Bernlohr. Bernlohr is No. 1 in the country in goals-against average (5.14) and save percentage (.683).
Here are a few factors that could play a role in the outcome at Byrd Stadium in College Park at 12 p.m. Saturday.
1) Beware of Zach Currier. The reigning Ivy League Player of the Week, Currier was instrumental in Princeton's 16-15 overtime win at then-No. 12 Johns Hopkins a week ago. The sophomore had five points (two goals and three assists), switched to short-stick defensive midfielder and caused one turnover, won six of eight faceoffs and collected a game-high eight ground balls. Currier's ability to win draws and remain on the field is a concern for Maryland coach John Tillman.
"When a guy can face off and play offense, that definitely is something you need to practice to just to make sure that you're organized," he said. "We're pretty fortunate in that [senior faceoff specialist] Charlie Raffa is one of our better short-stick defenders and a very good athlete."
2) Beware of penalties. The Tigers, who converted four of five extra-man opportunities in the victory over Johns Hopkins, are 9-for-17 overall (52.9 percent), ranking 11th in the nation. The Terps, meanwhile, are tied for ninth in man-down defense, having killed off 11 of 15 chances (73.3 percent). But Tillman understands the danger of giving Princeton any kind of opportunity.
"They've got 17 man-ups in three games," he said. "So they're averaging [almost] six a game. You can't put yourself in that position, or you're playing with fire. They're very skilled. For the most part, they're pretty darned experienced. They have great stickwork, they have a good feel for each other, and if you give them a lot of opportunities and you give them room, they're going to make you pay."
3) Beware of runs. In three games, Princeton has gone on 5-0 and 6-0 runs against Manhattan, 4-0 and 5-0 runs against Hofstra and a 7-0 run against Johns Hopkins. With their prowess on faceoffs and offense, the Tigers have the ingredients to string together goals, and Tillman said Maryland must be physically and mentally prepared to respond.
"I think this game has the potential to have some wild five-minute periods where there will be some runs and there will be some up-and-down action, and we've got to be really good when those things aren't going very well," he said. "And we've got to be good when we have some opportunities. We've got to be good enough to capitalize on them."