No. 5 Terps Clash With No. 9 Duke In NCAA First Round Showdown
The No. 5 Maryland Terrapins field hockey team (13-6) is set to clash with No. 9 Duke Blue Devils (12-6) in the NCAA First Round on November 15, 2024, at Karen Shelton Stadium. Maryland earned its 36th NCAA Tournament bid, showcasing a formidable offense led by senior Hope Rose and freshman Ella Gaitan. Duke, making its 20th tournament appearance, boasts a strong defense anchored by goalkeeper Frederique Wollaert. The match marks an intense rivalry, with Duke holding a slight edge in previous NCAA encounters.
By the Numbers- Maryland has scored 12 goals this season from senior Hope Rose.
- Duke's goalkeeper Frederique Wollaert has a goals-against average of 0.57, ranking third nationally.
Duke holds a 2-3 record against Maryland in NCAA Championship history, illustrating the competitive nature of their previous matchups, despite Maryland's overall advantage historically.
State of Play- Maryland recently defeated Iowa in a shootout to advance to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals.
- Duke enters with a strong defensive record, having the second-best goals-against average in the ACC.
The winner of the Maryland vs. Duke matchup will advance to face the winner of the other first-round game, potentially shaping the NCAA Championship landscape significantly for both teams.
Bottom LineThis game is pivotal for both teams, with Maryland aiming to leverage its historical edge and strong offensive capabilities, while Duke seeks to outmaneuver Maryland with its stellar defense. It’s a must-watch for college field hockey fans.
Read more at University of Maryland Athletics
The summary of the linked article was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence technology from OpenAI