Maryland Women’s Lacrosse 2026 Season Review: A Final Four Return Earns the Terps a B+
Maryland Women’s Lacrosse 2026 Season Review: A Final Four Return Earns the Terps a B+
The standard at University of Maryland women’s lacrosse is simple: national championships.
That reality can make evaluating a season difficult. A Final Four appearance would be celebrated at almost every program in the country. In College Park, the benchmark is higher.
Still, the 2026 Terrapins delivered one of the program’s strongest seasons in recent years, finishing 18-4, reaching the NCAA Final Four for the first time since 2022, spending part of the season ranked No. 1 nationally, and producing several All-American performances.
Maryland opened the year with 13 consecutive victories and collected ranked wins over Syracuse, Virginia, Princeton, Johns Hopkins, and Penn State. The Terps showcased elite offensive talent, a veteran defense, and one of the deepest rosters in the nation.
The season ultimately ended in a difficult NCAA semifinal loss to North Carolina, but that result should not overshadow what was a highly successful campaign for head coach Cathy Reese and her veteran roster.
2026 By The Numbers
Record: 18-4
NCAA Tournament: Final Four
Big Ten Contender
Goals Scored: 170
Goals Allowed: 111
Shot Percentage: .453
Opponent Shot Percentage: .315
Goal Differential: +59
Those numbers paint the picture of a team that excelled on both ends of the field.
Maryland averaged more than 7.7 goals per game better than its opponents across the season. The Terps combined efficient offense with disciplined team defense and remained among the nation’s elite throughout the spring.
Team MVP: Lauren LaPointe
No player was more important to Maryland’s success than Lauren LaPointe.
The senior attacker produced one of the best offensive seasons in the country:
- 66 goals
- 25 assists
- 91 points
- 144 shots
- 106 shots on goal
- 5 game-winning goals
LaPointe led Maryland in goals, points, shots, shots on goal, and game-winning goals. Every opponent built its defensive game plan around stopping her.
Most failed.
Whether Maryland needed a clutch goal, a free-position finish, or an offensive spark, LaPointe consistently delivered. Her ability to score from multiple angles made her one of the nation’s most dangerous attackers.
Grade: A+
Kori Edmondson Continued Her Dominance
Kori Edmondson once again proved why she has been one of the most decorated players in Maryland lacrosse history.
The star midfielder finished among the team’s offensive leaders while remaining a force between the restraining lines.
Statistics included:
- 62 points
- Team-leading free-position production
- Elite two-way play
- Leadership throughout the season
Edmondson’s impact extends far beyond statistics. She routinely drew the opponent’s top defender and remained one of the most feared transition players in college lacrosse.
Her excellence was recognized when she became a first-round selection in the inaugural Women’s Lacrosse League Draft.
Grade: A
Kristen Shanahan Emerged as a Star
One of Maryland’s most productive players was Kristen Shanahan.
Her season totals:
- 42 goals
- 34 assists
- 76 points
The assist numbers were particularly impressive.
Shanahan consistently created scoring opportunities for teammates while remaining a dangerous scoring threat herself. Her ability to distribute the ball helped Maryland become one of the nation’s most balanced offenses.
Grade: A
Jordyn Lipkin Became a Reliable Offensive Weapon
Lipkin provided consistency throughout the year.
Final numbers:
- 39 goals
- 15 assists
- 54 points
The sophomore frequently delivered timely goals and became one of Maryland’s most reliable offensive options.
Several of Maryland’s biggest victories featured major contributions from Lipkin. Her development will be critical heading into 2027.
Grade: A-
Keeley Block Supplied Secondary Scoring
Every championship-caliber team needs offensive depth.
Maryland found that in Keeley Block.
Her season included:
- 43 goals
- 10 assists
- 53 points
Block consistently punished defenses that focused too heavily on LaPointe and Edmondson.
Opposing coordinators often found themselves choosing between double-teaming Maryland’s stars or allowing Block favorable matchups.
Neither option worked particularly well.
Grade: A-
The Defense Was Better Than Advertised
Maryland’s offense deserved plenty of attention, but the defense quietly turned in a strong campaign.
The Terps allowed only 111 goals in 22 games.
Opponents shot just .315 against Maryland throughout the season. Those numbers placed the Terps among the nation’s better defensive units.
The defense excelled because of:
- Team communication
- Strong slide packages
- Veteran leadership
- Physical on-ball play
Maddy Sterling emerged as one of the unit’s leaders.
Sterling led Maryland in caused turnovers and ground balls while developing into one of the Big Ten’s best defenders. Her performance earned recognition in the inaugural Women’s Lacrosse League Draft.
Defensive Unit Grade: A-
Best Wins of the Season
Syracuse
One of Maryland’s first statement victories came against Syracuse.
The win demonstrated that the Terps could compete with national contenders and set the tone for their unbeaten start.
Virginia
Road wins against ranked opponents always matter.
The victory over Virginia showed Maryland’s ability to handle pressure away from College Park.
Princeton
Princeton entered the season as one of the nation’s top programs.
Maryland’s victory over the Tigers boosted its NCAA Tournament résumé and national ranking.
Johns Hopkins
Beating rival Johns Hopkins University always carries additional significance.
The Terps once again demonstrated superiority in one of the sport’s best rivalries.
Penn State
A dramatic 14-13 victory over Penn State highlighted Maryland’s toughness.
The game marked Maryland’s fifth ranked win of the season and helped solidify its position among the nation’s elite teams.
Where Things Went Wrong
For much of the season, Maryland looked capable of winning a national championship.
Then inconsistency appeared.
The Terps suffered key losses late in the year, including defeats to Northwestern and Michigan.
While Maryland recovered to make a deep postseason run, those games exposed issues that would eventually reappear in the NCAA semifinals.
The offense occasionally stalled.
Turnovers increased.
Defensive breakdowns became more common against elite opponents.
Those issues were manageable during the regular season.
Against North Carolina, they became impossible to overcome.
NCAA Tournament Run
Maryland’s postseason run reminded fans why the program remains one of the nation’s premier powers.
The Terps advanced through the NCAA Tournament and returned to Championship Weekend.
The Final Four appearance represented a significant accomplishment considering how competitive women’s lacrosse has become nationally.
For much of the tournament, Maryland displayed the balance, chemistry, and resilience that defined its season.
NCAA Semifinal Loss to North Carolina
The season ended against a tremendous North Carolina team.
After a competitive start, UNC pulled away for a 16-6 victory.
North Carolina dominated the shot battle, ground balls, and turnover margin while limiting Maryland’s offensive opportunities.
The loss was disappointing, but it should not define the season.
The Tar Heels were one of the nation’s best teams and eventually advanced to play for the national championship.
Senior Class Legacy
Several members of this roster helped return Maryland to national prominence.
This group:
- Won 18 games
- Reached a Final Four
- Earned a No. 1 national ranking
- Produced multiple All-Americans
- Added another chapter to Maryland’s storied tradition
The impact of players such as LaPointe, Edmondson, Sterling, and Shanahan will be felt long after they leave College Park.
Looking Ahead to 2027
The challenge now becomes replacing elite talent.
Maryland loses several major contributors, including some of the most productive offensive players on the roster.
The good news?
The program remains loaded with talent.
Cathy Reese continues to recruit at an elite level, and younger players gained valuable experience during the 2026 campaign.
The foundation remains strong even as significant roster turnover approaches.
Final Grades
| Category | Grade |
|---|---|
| Offense | A |
| Defense | A- |
| Coaching | A |
| NCAA Tournament | A- |
| Big Games | A |
| Overall Season | B+ |
Final Verdict
The 2026 Maryland women’s lacrosse team did not win a national championship.
That reality prevents an A+ grade.
Everything else about the season deserves praise.
An 18-4 record, a No. 1 national ranking, multiple ranked victories, a Final Four appearance, and elite individual performances made this one of Maryland’s strongest seasons in recent memory.
The final loss to North Carolina stung, but it should not overshadow the accomplishments of a group that helped restore Maryland to the national spotlight. The Terps once again proved they belong among women’s lacrosse royalty, and the 2026 season served as another reminder that championship expectations in College Park remain fully justified.
