When the Maryland women's lacrosse team saw its 2025 season end at the hands of Penn in the NCAA Tournament second round, the message was clear: they needed a game-changer. Enter Keeley Block, the former Quakers star who knew exactly what it took to break Terrapin hearts. This time, she was wearing the right jersey.
Block delivered a masterclass performance Sunday, scoring four goals—including two clutch late-game daggers—to power No. 3-seed Maryland past Rutgers, 11-8, and into the NCAA quarterfinals. It was sweet redemption for a Terps squad that refused to let history repeat itself.
From the opening whistle, Maryland came out firing. The first quarter was a statement, with the Terps rattling off four goals in the first eight minutes alone. Lauren LaPointe was particularly electric, scoring twice in a blistering 28-second span, finding her rhythm from the left elbow like she owned the spot.
Rutgers managed to break through with six minutes left in the first quarter, but Maryland's response was immediate and emphatic. Just 37 seconds later, LaPointe threaded a perfect high pass to a cutting Block, who wasted no time burying it. Then, with seconds ticking down in the frame, LaPointe found Maisy Clevinger for another score, pushing the lead to five goals.
A huge factor in Maryland's early surge was sophomore Kayla Gilmore, who dominated the draw circle. After losing the draw battle 19-12 in their regular-season meeting, Gilmore helped the Terps win the first eight draws of the game, controlling possession and setting the tempo.
The Scarlet Knights finally won a draw over 20 minutes into the contest, and the momentum shifted. Rutgers' Hilary Elsner and Caroline Ling sandwiched a Kori Edmondson free-position goal, and Alex Popham added a low-angle snipe with four minutes left in the half to cut the lead to three.
But Maryland refused to let the game slip away. Clevinger answered with just 73 seconds left in the half, off an assist from Jordyn Lipkin, giving the Terps a 7-3 lead at the break. It was a critical response that kept Rutgers at arm's length and set the stage for Block's heroics in the second half.
For the Terps, this win was about more than just advancing—it was about proving they've learned from past heartbreak. And with Block leading the charge, Maryland looks poised to make a deep tournament run.