After a dominating victory against then-No. 1 North Carolina yesterday in the ACC Championship, the Terrapin women’s lacrosse team put themselves in a position to vault up to somewhere it hasn’t been in a long time – the No. 1 overall ranking.
Inside Lacrosse has spoken, and through a very tight vote, the Terps grabbed the top spot in this week’s top 20 rankings, just barely edging out Northwestern. Although the Wildcats received more first place votes than the Terps, the Terps edged Northwestern in points 231 to 230.
It’s the first time the Terps have held the spot in coach Cathy Reese’s four-year tenure. After taking the head coaching reigns in 2007, Reese has gradually built the Terps back into national prominence.
Last time the Terps were ranked No. 1: April 5, 2003. The Terps then lost to James Madison 9-8 and dropped from No. 1.
Despite an undefeated all through the regular season and ACC Tournament last year, the Terps were stuck at No. 2, behind Northwestern, who was also undefeated and went on to win the National Championship. This year, the Terps started the season with that same ranking until they lost to North Carolina on April 10.
This is only the second week this season that Northwestern has not held the No. 1 ranking. Last week it was North Carolina, after the Tar Heels beat the Wildcats in Evansville, Ill.
Hopefully I can get in touch with Reese and a few players today regarding the achievement. But chances are they’re going to say it doesn’t mean much.
Chris Eckard is the Diamondback’s Terrapin women’s lacrosse reporter. He can be reached at ceckard@umdk.com