The 'Cats secure their second top-team win of the season, becoming the first team to do so since 2012.
In their second No. 1-ranked matchup in three weeks, the 'Cats completed the challenge successfully with another thrilling win.
Despite trailing by two goals at halftime, No. 6 Northwestern (10-3, 4-1 B1G) made the comeback and upset No. 1 Maryland (13-1, 5-1 B1G) in College Park. Though being dominated in draw controls in the first half, the 'Cats fought back strongly later and eventually paced the Terappins up. The victory makes Northwestern the first team to beat two No. 1-ranked opponents in a season since 2012.
Madison Taylor dominated with four goals and one assist while winning a team-high five draw controls. Aditi Foster collected three goals. Goalie Jennika Cuocco led the 'Cats' defense with nine saves.
For Maryland, Kayla Gilmore led with three goals, while Kristen Shanahan and Kori Edmondson contributed two goals apiece.
Maryland won the opening draw and launched the first attack through Shanahan, which was blocked by Cuocco. Seconds later, Northwestern's Kate Ratanaproeksa picked up the ground ball and earned a free-position chance, but Taylor's shot hit the post.
Just two minutes in, Gilmore darted through the gap between two Northwestern defenders and slammed it past Cuocco for the game's first goal. The Terrapins continued attacking, with Shanahan taking a free-position shot that Cuocco corralled.
Northwestern gained control on the next possession but failed to respond. Maddie Epke fired a bouncing shot that was saved by JJ Suriano. Maryland then took a 2-0 lead on the counter, as Keely Block ripped through Northwestern's backfield defense.
After Maryland narrowed down space to target Taylor defensively, the Terrapins rolled to a 3-0 lead on Gilmore's quick-strike goal. Northwestern eventually broke the drought at the 5:10 mark when Foster roamed outside the circle and ripped a powerful distance shot for the 'Cats' first point. Maryland led 3-1 after the first quarter.
Northwestern responded with its second goal early in the second quarter as Taylor beat the defense on a cut and swung it home. Epke won the first draw control following the goal, and Taylor delivered to Taylor Lapointe, who was dodging two defenders on the right elbow. Lapointe collected the volley and spun toward the crease, but the goal was overturned after review found an illegal follow-through. She was also issued a yellow card.
After Gilmore's free-position goal made it 4-2, the Terrapins extended to 5-2 when Lapointe fed a wide-open Lipkin from behind the crease.
Taylor forced the ball back with a check on the Maryland goalie, closing the gap to two goals. Both teams exchanged possessions over the final three minutes before halftime, but neither could sustain momentum. The 'Cats trailed 5-3 at the break.
Foster stepped up to start the second half, cutting through sticks and firing home to make it a one-goal deficit. The tying goal came at 8:36 in the third quarter when Taylor spun on the right post and whipped a close shot, evening the score at 5-5.
About four minutes later, Edmondson buried a bouncing ball for Maryland's first goal of the half, retaking a 6-5 lead. Northwestern tied it again when Taylor spotted Abby LoCascio up front for an open shot. But Shanahan allowed Maryland to regain a 7-6 lead in just 40 seconds.
After LoCascio's shot was blocked, Northwestern picked up the rebound through chaos inside the perimeter. Cumberland found wide-open space and took a stride to the goal. The score was knotted at 7-7 heading into the fourth quarter.
Northwestern took its first lead after earning a free position. Despite facing hard interference, Lapointe beat the pressure to put the 'Cats up 9-8 with 11 minutes remaining.
Foster extended the lead to two goals after Cumberland forced a turnover. Ratanaproeksa reeled past two defenders and beat Suriano for her first goal, pushing Northwestern's advantage to 11-8 at 6:20.
Maryland stormed back with two late goals to cut it to 11-10, but Taylor won a crucial draw in crunch time. The 'Cats ran the clock effectively until drawing a green-card foul by Block. Maryland couldn't change anything in the final 10 seconds.
Northwestern will play against Penn State in its back-to-back road games on Sunday at 10 a.m. CT.