The Maryland lacrosse program has a big day today.
The men?s team will try to claw its way through the rest of the Atlantic Coast Conference field as the third seed in Durham, N.C. The women, meanwhile, have the challenge of being the team to beat ? seeded first in a six-team field ? in Chapel Hill, N.C. Sunday?s championships are 1 p.m. (women) and 3:30 (men).
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This is the first time the Maryland women (14-2, 4-1 ACC) have been the top seed since 2003, when they won the last of their five conference titles. They come into the tournament having won nine of their last 10 games and defeated Virginia Tech, 21-17, in the conference season finale. That win came on the heels of a defeat at Northwestern. Prior to the loss to Northwestern, Maryland?s last loss prompted a season-high streak of eight straight wins.
The Terps play the winner of Thursday?s No. 4 vs. 5 matchup ? Virginia and Boston College. Maryland defeated Boston College, 18-8, on Feb. 24, and lost to Virginia, 15-4, on March 13.
The Terps had success against Boston College in last year?s tournament, defeating the Eagles, 21-8, in the opening round. The Terps eventually lost to Duke, 19-9, in the semifinals.
The Terps have four players scoring 40 points or more, led by Krista Pellizzi?s 62 points.
The Maryland men (9-4, 1-2 ACC) enter this weekend?s tournament as the third of four teams, facing Virginia (11-2) in the early game. Top-seed Duke battles fourth-seeded North Carolina in the 8:30 p.m. contest.
Virginia, the defending national champion, defeated the Terps, 12-8, on March 31. Virginia is averaging one more goal per game than the Terps and boasts a slightly better goals-against average ? 7.0 to Maryland?s 7.7. The Cavs also hold an advantage in the face-off category, winning 54.5 percent to Maryland?s 48.4.
Attackmen Michael Phipps (22 goals, 20 assists) and Max Ritz (21 goals and 20 assists) pace the Terps? offense.
TERPS IN ACC TOURNAMENT
MEN » vs. Virginia, in Durham, N.C., Friday at 6 p.m.
WOMEN » vs. Virginia/Boston College, in Chapel Hill, N.C., Friday at 5:30 p.m.
