In a stunning reversal of fortune, the No. 3 Maryland women's lacrosse team suffered a historic 15-4 defeat at the hands of No. 11 Michigan on Thursday night in Ann Arbor. The loss, one of the program's worst in recent memory, also cost the Terps sole possession of first place in the Big Ten.
The game was a tale of two offenses. Maryland, which began the season a perfect 13-0 and was the nation's top-ranked team just days ago, endured a catastrophic shooting night, converting only 13.3% of its attempts. In stark contrast, Michigan's attack was ruthlessly efficient, dismantling the Terps' defense with a series of clinical runs.
After a brief offensive flurry from Maryland's Kristen Shanahan and Lauren LaPointe tied the game early, the wheels completely came off. Michigan unleashed a devastating 6-0 run in just six minutes, capitalizing on uncharacteristic struggles from Terps' goalie JJ Suriano, who posted a first-half save percentage of just 27.2%.
Despite a spectacular individual effort from Shanahan—who scored a highlight-reel goal from a seated position—Maryland's offense never found its rhythm. The Terps managed only two goals in the final three quarters, unable to solve Michigan's defensive pressure or match their opponent's intensity on draw controls.
This result marks Maryland's second consecutive loss after its perfect start, sending a shockwave through the college lacrosse landscape. For a program with championship pedigree, this kind of performance raises immediate questions about consistency and resilience as the postseason approaches. The Terps must now regroup quickly to reclaim their standing in a fiercely competitive Big Ten conference.
