Friday February 26th, 2021 11:00am
(Photo Courtesy: Michigan Athletics)
The Big Ten always has one of the most challenging schedules in the country. Northwestern and Maryland have combined for 10 national titles during their runs as Big Ten-affiliated programs. Only the ACC has more (15, but 11 are Maryland’s; the Terps played in the ACC until 2014). This year, COVID has thrown Big Ten programs another curveball: they’re only playing each other, often twice in a weekend.
Friday-Sunday series between Big Ten schools begin this weekend. The conference announced its decision and schedule in early February, and it didn’t take long for Michigan head coach Hannah Nielsen to embrace it.
Weekend preview: No. 10 Maryland women’s lacrosse vs. No. 17 Michigan
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Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images
No. 10 Maryland women’s lacrosse took a step in the wrong direction to start its 2021 season against then-No. 21 Penn State, losing 15-13 on Sunday afternoon. It was the Terps’ first Big Ten regular-season loss since joining the conference.
“We could probably make 100 excuses, but at the end of the day Penn State out-executed us,” head coach Cathy Reese said.
The upset dropped the Terps to 0-1 on the year, the first time Reese has been in that position since arriving in College Park. But the experienced leader of the Terrapins is confident in her team’s ability to rebound.
It may have been new in 2020, but Michigan is looking to continue it into 2021. The Wolverines did graduate Chandler Kirby and Lilly Grass, two attacking stalwarts who combined for 13 goals and 11 assists in 2020, but they will return their leading and most prolific scorer in senior Caitlin Muir, who with a big season could vault their offense into the next tier.
An All-Big Ten pick in 2019 and a Tewaaraton Watch List candidate in 2020, Muir was the only player to score in each of Michigan’s six games in 2020. Had there been a complete season, Nielsen thought Muir was on pace to challenge for the Big Ten Attacker of the Year award, and is excited about the potential she brings back to the offense.
Thu Jan 14 2021 | Gait Lacrosse | Fuel
This article appears in the January edition of US Lacrosse Magazine, available exclusively to US Lacrosse members. Join or renew today! Thank you for your support.
This is a man’s world.
The sport scene has been dominated by males for centuries, from players and coaches to media and referees. Nine times out of 10, it is an unequivocal guarantee that if asked about sports, a male athlete or professional team would come to mind.
Lacrosse is no different. Paul and Gary Gait, being two of the greatest to ever play the sport, have stamped their legacy on men’s lacrosse. Given the numerous championships and personal accolades between them both, stunning plays like the Air Gait and the teams for which they have played and coached, it would be easy to see their names attached solely to men’s lacrosse.