The No. 4 Maryland women’s lacrosse team faces off against No. 24 Penn State with the opportunity to secure a top-two seed in the Big Ten Tournament with a victory. The game, set for Saturday at noon and streaming on Big Ten Plus, carries significant conference and national implications.

By the Numbers
  • Penn State Nittany Lions current record: 7-6 overall, 2-2 in the Big Ten.
  • Penn State had a 2023 record of 11-7, 3-3 in the Big Ten.
  • Kristin O’Neill leads Penn State with 37 goals this season.
  • Kayla Abernathy has 35 draw controls for Penn State.
  • Rachel Spliker leads Penn State with 17 caused turnovers and 10 ground balls.
Yes, But

Penn State's weakness lies in their shooting percentage, converting only 39% of their shots this year, ranking outside the top 90 nationally, despite generating more shot opportunities than most teams.

State of Play
  • Penn State has a chance to disrupt Maryland's bid for a top-two seed in the Big Ten Tournament.
  • Maryland's offensive performance and limiting turnovers will be crucial in the upcoming game.
  • Emily Sterling's consistent goalkeeping will be a key factor for Maryland's success.
What's Next

A win for Maryland on Saturday would secure at least the No. 2 seed in the Big Ten Tournament, with a potential to claim the No. 1 seed and advance to the semifinals if Northwestern suffers a loss.

Bottom Line

Maryland's upcoming game against Penn State presents a vital opportunity to secure a top-two seed in the tournament, emphasizing the significance of maintaining offensive momentum and efficient ball control for a successful outcome.