Senior attacker Keeley Block rushes past a Maryland defender on March 31.
Credit: Anjali KishorePenn has turned the tide against the Terps.
A hot Monday afternoon set the tone for the fiery contest between Penn and No. 6 Maryland. With a final score of 13-12, Penn (6-3, 2-0 Ivy) earned its first win over a ranked opponent. Home-field advantage for the Quakers and outstanding performances by senior midfielder Anna Brandt, freshman goalkeeper Orly Sedransk, and sophomore attacker Regan O’Brien led the way for the Quakers.
With the programs being common enemies, Penn’s victory helps to shape the new era of dominance in its meetings against Maryland (7-3, 3-1 Big Ten). With this game being their 31st matchup in history, Maryland held a 27-3 record against Penn heading into the game.
Penn defeated the Terps in 2024 to end the Terrapins’ 14-game win streak over the Quakers, with the new victory beginning Penn’s first ever win streak against Maryland, with the all-time series record now standing at 27-4.
“They always have a great program … great coaching staff, [and] great recruits,” coach Karin Corbett said. “I think what [that] enables us [to do is] just to believe in ourselves because … they’ve gotten the upper hand for years. … Having that belief that we can beat them and having younger kids see that they’re capable of beating Maryland really will carry for the future.”
The first quarter began quickly as Penn took an early lead with a goal by Brandt, and this lead persisted even as the teams scored back and forth until the scoreboard read 3-2. The offensive prowess on both sides eventually tipped in favor of Maryland, with two goals in the final minute of the quarter. A contested shot by Maryland midfielder Kori Edmondson earned Maryland the lead as the Quakers trailed 4-3.
In the second quarter, the underclassmen of Penn women’s lacrosse shined the brightest. Gaining solid control of the ball, O’Brien drove an unassisted goal to the back of the net that tied the game at 4-4. Freshman midfielder Lela Greene tried a similar shot attempt moments later, and despite the save by Maryland goalie JJ Suriano, she helped fend off the Terps on the other side of the field and regained possession for Penn. After two goals by Penn and another by Maryland, O’Brien gapped Penn’s lead to 7-5. She finished with three goals and one assist for a career-high in both.
“I’m so happy with the outcome of this game,” O’Brien said. “It was a close game, but we came out with a lot of heart, a lot of fight, and we won the game in the margins. … We just fell back on our preparation, and I’m so proud of my team.”
Freshman midfielder Sarah Kelley closed out the half with a goal, which went under review for some time, but eventually led the Quakers to a 8-5 lead.
The second half brought even more heat as the Terrapins attempted to fight back, but the game of cat-and-mouse kept Penn on top. Maryland started the half with a goal by midfielder Devin Livingston, but Sedransk blocked the Terrapins’ next six shots. The underclassman dominion carried over when a goal by O’Brien covered a failed shot attempt by Brandt during the same possession, and it continued when Sedransk made an incredible save off of a deflection from her shoulder. Sedransk concluded the game with 13 saves, an impressive feat for a freshman against a top-ranked Maryland squad.
“She’s had two really big opponents in Florida and Maryland, and I think she’s coming off huge in both of them,” Corbett said. “It’s not easy to be a freshman goalie, let alone against the top-five ranked opponents in the country, so [I’m] really proud of her.”
After a beautiful assist from senior attacker Erika Chung for a goal by Brandt to end the third quarter, the fourth quarter was filled with nonstop scoring momentum on both ends. Four consecutive goals by Maryland tightened the score to 11-11, but Penn did not let up as freshman attacker Mae Zaremba scored her second goal of the season with seven minutes remaining in the game. Though Maryland scored minutes later, Brandt proved why she deserved her recent Midseason First Team All-America honors with an interception that led to a goal by senior attacker Keeley Block. This goal victoriously settled the score for the Quakers.
The offensive dominance and determination by Penn were not the only factors that brought them to a win. The vibrancy of Quakers fans at Franklin Field pushed the Quakers further when Maryland made its late comeback. As the stands were packed with spectators sporting the Red and Blue, the indomitable spirit and cheers of Penn women’s lacrosse fans cannot be silenced, even with the fatiguing heat of the afternoon.
“We love Franklin Field,” Corbett said. “We’ve been away a lot this year, and … [we are] happy, happy to be home.”
The Quakers hope to continue to climb the rankings of the Ancient Eight at Harvard on Saturday, April 5 at 12 p.m.
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