After coasting by way of convention play with an ideal 5-0 file heading into the ultimate stretch, No. 2 Northwestern confronted its hardest Huge Ten take a look at but in School Park towards No. 8 Maryland.

There are few rivalries nationwide as embellished as this one. Collectively, NU and UMD have received extra regular-season titles and convention event championships than the remainder of the Huge Ten mixed. The battle typically continues within the nationwide event, the place most lately, in Northwestern’s 2019 Remaining 4 look, the ‘Cats’ season ended by the hands of the Terps within the quarterfinals.

It’s protected to say Maryland was out for revenge this 12 months after the Wildcats emerged victorious all 3 times they met in 2021, together with within the Huge Ten event championship sport.

Northwestern’s offense has been on hearth all season, however UMD was capable of achieve the higher hand in School Park and led the whole contest. Maybe what was most noticeable on this loss was that graduate scholar and draw circle star Jill Girardi solely collected seven draw controls, her second smallest complete for the reason that ‘Cats’ early loss towards then-No. 2 North Carolina, when she tallied six.

Maryland attacker Libby Might couldn’t be contained, amassing seven objectives and one help. Northwestern solely had one participant with multiple aim in Girardi, a stark distinction from the crew’s manufacturing throughout its nine-game successful streak which was snapped on Saturday.

Northwestern was capable of tie the sport at three apiece within the first quarter after freshman Samantha Smith and sophomore Carleigh Mahoney traded objectives, however Maryland went on a 4-0 run shortly after, and the Wildcats have been solely capable of get two extra objectives throughout within the half.

General, the Terrapins have been capable of capitalize on the Wildcats’ weak spots, with lots of their objectives scored in transition. On the half, UMD held a 10-5 lead after scoring many objectives off Northwestern’s failed shot makes an attempt on the different finish.

Out of the break, Maryland scored three extra objectives earlier than Northwestern was capable of get on the board. Girardi exploded for 2 straight objectives after tallying none within the first half to carry the rating to 14-7. However, the Terrapins finally stifled the Wildcat offense, solely permitting 9 Northwestern objectives, a significant discrepancy from the crew’s common of over 16 per sport.

Whereas the loss was a down second for this crew, the ‘Cats are nonetheless 5-1 in convention play. If Maryland falls to Michigan subsequent weekend, Northwestern will nonetheless have an opportunity to share a chunk of the regular-season title.

Trying ahead, this crew will have the ability to refocus and regroup on a bye week earlier than the convention event begins. In the end, the event will maintain extra weight on the subject of seeding for NCAAs — it’s doable that Northwestern will face Maryland once more within the upcoming weeks to avenge the loss for a shot on the convention event title and a forgiving slot within the nationwide bracket.