COLLEGE PARK, Md. - For the first time since 1984, the UMass women's lacrosse team has punched a ticket to the NCAA Quarterfinals after a pair of thrilling wins to start the tournament.

The Minutewomen and No. 1 seed Maryland will square off for the seccond straight year and third time in five years on Sunday afternoon at the Maryland Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex. The noon game will be televised on the Big Ten Network.

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NOTES

• This year's run bears an eerily similar feel to the 1984 season where UMass used an overtime goal to be Yale in the first round before getting past Harvard by a goal to advance to the NCAA Semifinals against Maryland.
• UMass enters the game riding a 16-game win streak and boasts one of the most prolfici offenses in the country. The third ranked unit is averaging 14.19 goals per game but will face a tall task against the Terps.
• Not to be outdone, the defense has been equally impressive this year. After allowing just 6.57 goals per game, the group also ranks third nationally. In just two games have opponents scored more than 10 goals against the Minutewomen this season. The unique group features an experienced corps of field players protecting a rotation of goalies. Freshman Sam Walters (17-1) has started every game this year, while sophomore Aileen Kelly (3-0) has started every second half. All three of Kelly's wins this year have come in the last three games - the first wins of her career.

• UMass has been to the NCAA Tournament on 10 prior occassions with the most recent being last season. The Minutewomen's appearance in the 2016 NCAA Tournament marks the eighth consecutive year to do so. Prior to the recent run which began in 2009, UMass appeared in the Big Dance in 1982, 1983, and 1984. The Minutewomen won the 1982 National Championship - the first NCAA sponsored NCAA championship for women's lacrosse. In 1983 and 1984, UMass reached the semifinals.
• In 2010, 2011, and 2012, UMass appeared in the NCAA Play-In Game falling at No. 15 Stanford 15-12 in 2010 and defeating Canisius in 2011 and 2012. The 2013 season marked the first time since 2009 that the Atlantic 10 had an automatic berth. UMass received the Atlantic 10's automatic berth in 2013, 2014, and 2015, and 2016. UMass has won a league-record eight straight A-10 tournament titles which have paved the way to the NCAA Tournament.
• In three of the last four seasons, UMass has reached at least the NCAA second round. 
• UMass last faced Maryland in two of the last four NCAA Tournament trips. Last season, the two teams met in the NCAA second round with Maryland winning 19-8. In the 2012 NCAA First Round, Maryland won 15-12.
• All-time UMass is 10-10 in NCAA Tournament games following the win over Jacksonville. 

UMass In The A-10 Tournament

• In 16 appearances in the Atlantic 10 Tournament, UMass sports an 20-7 overall record. UMass made it to the Championship Game in 2000, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 - winning the Tournament title in 2000, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
• UMass has played four overtime games in its A-10 Tournament history posting a 4-0 record. Two of those OT wins were for the league championship titles.
• 2016 marked the seventh time UMass has entered the A-10 Tournament as the No. 1 Seed. In 2000, UMass finished the season in a three-way tie for 1st, but were the No. 2 seed in the tournament.
• UMass entered the 2016 Tournament after an undefeated run the A-10 schedule for the sixth straight season - 7-0 in league play in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014; 8-0 in 2015; and 9-0 in 2016.
• UMass holds the league records for most A-10 Championship titles (9) and for consecutive titles won (8).

• Along with setting the NCAA record this season for consecutive league wins (45) and having the fourth-longest home win streak (22), UMass has moved into several categories of the NCAA record book both as a team and individually.
• UMass' 160 assists are tied as the seventh most in NCAA history.
• UMass' 458 points are just outside the top 15 (Syracuse in 2012 ranks 15th with 476 points).
• Erika Eipp needs just five more assists to move into the top 15 all-time for a single-season. She currently has 53 assists which is a UMass record.
• Hannah Murphy's 149 draw controls this season is also closing in on the top 15 in NCAA history.
• • Murphy's 307 career draw controls also places her in the top 15 all-time. She is currently one of 14 players to reach the 300 mark.

UMass Among The 2015 NCAA Stat Leaders

• As a team, UMass ranks among the top-10 in eight NCAA statistical categories. The Minutewomen rank No. 3 in scoring defense (6.57), scoring offense (14.19) and win percentage (.952).
• UMass ranks fourth in draw controls per game (14.10), third in assists per game (7.62) and second in points per game (21.81).
• Individually, Erika Eipp is UMass' top ranked offensive player ranking third nationally in points (95), second in assists (53), and eighth in points per game (4.52). 
• Hannah Murphy ranks third nationally in draw controls per game (7.10).

Eipp, Murphy Named To IWLCA All-America Squads

• Erika Eipp and Hannah Murphy were each named to IWLCA All-America squads as announced by the organization prior to the NCAA Quarterfinals. Eipp was selected to the second team, while Murphy earned third team honors. This marked the first time since 1987 that UMass had two players earn All-America honors in the same season. 
• Overall, UMass has produced four first-team All-Americans, six second-team All-Americans, and six third-team All-Americans.
• During Angela McMahon's coaching career, a total seven players have earned All-America honors including Eipp and Murphy.

2016 Atlantic 10 Honors

• After a 19-1 overall record and an 9-0 mark, UMass brought home the lion share of postseason awards from the Atlantic 10. Senior attack Erika Eipp was named the Offensive Player of the Year, junior Hannah Murphy earned Midfielder of the Year honors, and senior Kate Farnham was tabbed the Defensive Player of the Year. Head coachAngela McMahon was also named the Coach of the Year for the fifth time in the last six years - the most for any coach in league history.
• For Eipp and Murphy, this marked the second straight year they earned the league's highest postseason honors.
• Joining Eipp, Murphy and Farnham on the All-Conference First-Team was defender Amber Tobin, attack Nicole Troost, and attack Holly Turner.
• UMass also placed defender Anne Farnham on the All-Conference Second-Team. Freshmen Hannah Palau andSam Walters were named to the All-Rookie Team as well.
• Tobin and Eileen McDonald also added A-10 All-Academic Honors to their postseason resumes.
• After winning the A-10 Tournament, Murphy, Eipp, Aileen Kelly, McDonald, and Callie Santos were named to the All-Tournament Team. Murphy was selected as the championship weekend's Most Outstanding Player.

UMass One Of The Top NCAA Teams Over Last Six Years

• With a record of 111-13, six Atlantic 10 Championships and six trips to the NCAA Tournament, UMass has been one of the top teams nationally over the last six years (including this season).
• The 111 wins are the second most for any team in the six year time span. Maryland leads the nation in wins with a 120-8 record over that time span followed by UMass and Florida (100-21). Northwestern (97-29), Syracuse (95-30) , and North Carolina (94-23) round out the top six teams during that time frame.

Top 20 RPI Over The Last four Years

• Over the last four seasons, UMass has ranked among the top 20 programs in NCAA RPI at the conclusion of each year: 19th in 2015 (prior to NCAA Tournament), 10th (2014), 11th (2013), 6th (2012).
• This marks the first time in program history that UMass has posted consecutive years with a top-20 RPI.

Multiple Scoring Threats

• A total of seven different players have scored 40+ points this season led by Erika Eipp's 95 points. Holly Turner is second with 71 points eclipsing her freshman total of 27 points.
• Despite missing nine games due to injury, Nicole Troost's 42 goals is tied with Eipp for the team lead.

First Half Scoring Key For Minutewomen

• UMass is outscoring teams 176-to-74 during first halves this season. Only twice this season has UMass trailed at halftime: 7-6 vs. Boston College and 6-5 vs. Princeton

Defense A Strength

• While the offense gets the glory for scoring, the defense has been a key to UMass' success. Only twice this season has UMass allowed its opponents to score 10-or-more goal.
• In eight games, UMass has allowed only five-or-fewer goals.
• In both NCAA Tournament games entering the quarterfinals, the defense was key to advancing. Aileen Kellymade two big saves in overtime against Princeton, before helping hold Cornell scorelss for the final 23 minutes of the second round match-up.

Wins Over Top 20 Teams

• UMass enters the weekend 3-1 versus top 20 teams this year - the most wins against top 20 opponents in program history. The only loss was at No. 14 Boston College, 9-8, on March 2.
• The last time UMass played as many ranked opponents in one season was 2011 when the Minutewomen faced four (1-3).

Tale Of Two Goalie Halves

• One of the unique characteristics of the UMass defense this year has been its use of a two-goalie rotation. Freshman Sam Walters has played the first half of every game while sophomore Aileen Kelly has played the second half.
• Both players had identical minutes played until the overtime game against Princeton in the NCAA First Round where Kelly remained in net.
• Walters earned a 17-1 record through the regular-season and Atlantic 10 Semifinals. Kelly has won the last three games after tightly contested second halves. Her first career win came against Richmond in the Atlantic 10 Championship game where she made a career-high seven saves.
• Over the last three games, Kelly has made an average of six saves while allowing just 3.3 goals per outing with a .563 save percentage.

Veteran Defensive Unit

• In front of the two goalies is one of UMass' most veteran defensive units in years. The group is anchored by three seniors in Amber Tobin and Kate and Anne Farnham. Junior Allison Ryan rounds out the starting group. Kate Farnham was an All-Region First Team pick and the A-10 Defender of the Year. Tobin is a two-time All-Atlantic 10 First Team selection, while Farnham is a two-time second team pick.

Double Trouble On Defense

• Fans, and opponents, may think they are seeing double when they look at the UMass defense in 2016. Twin sisters Kate Farnham and Anne Farnham anchor one of the nation's top D-units for the second straight year.
• Kate leads the Minutewomen this year with 32 caused turnovers and 43 groundballs, while Anne has a team-best 45 groundballs and 22 caused turnovers.

Murphy Takes Over The Field

• One of the best players in program history, Hannah Murphy has been a difference maker all over the field for the Minutewomen in her three years. The junior was recently named to the IWLCA All-America Third Team after an impressive campaign in 2016.
• Murphy has been a beast in the draw circle over the last two years. Her 149 draw controls this year represent half of UMass' total wins and is a single-season record for both the program and the Atlantic 10. The native of Duxbury, Mass., has 307 career draw controls which is also a UMass record and ranks 12th all-time in NCAA history.
• The two-time Atlantic 10 Midfielder of the Year has played in 62 career games with 87 goals and 29 assists. In the field, she has 103 groundballs and 47 caused turnovers to go with her draw controls.

Turner Makes Presence Felt

• After being UMass' top scoring rookie last season, Holly Turner became a major threat on offense this year. The sophomore earned Atlantic 10 First Team honors this season and enters the quarterfinals as UMass second leading scorer.
• In 2015, Turner had 27 points highlighted by 17 goals. As a sophomore, she more than doubled that output with 71 points on 34 goals and 37 assists.
• For her career, she is already just two points shy of reaching 100 with 51 goals and 47 assists.

Come On Eileen! (Sorry, had to)

• Senior attack Eileen McDonald has put together her best season this year offensively. The native of Longmeadow, Mass., just down the road from the UMass campus, has posted a career-best 48 points on 37 goals and 11 assists. In the A-10 Championship game against Richmond, she notched four key goals in the first half. Her most famous goal, however, was the overtime game winner against Princeton in the NCAA First Round - her only goal of the game.
• McDonald is also a business administration/finance major and an analyst for the Minutemen Equity Fund - a student-run financial fund worth over $200,000. A member of SAAC, she was served this year on the group's executive board as well.

Erika Eipp An All-American

• One of the top attacks in the nation, Erika Eipp was named to the IWLCA All-America Second Team this week after posting a banner senior season. The Townsend, Mass., native leads UMass in points (95) and needs just four more to set a new program single-season record.
• Entering the Maryland game, Eipp ranks third nationally in points and is second nationally in assists. Her 53 assists this year stand as both UMass and Atlantic 10 single-season records.
• After playing at Louisville during her freshman season, Eipp transferred to UMass beginning with the 2014 campaign. In three years, she has 227 points on 115 goals and 112 assists at UMass. Her 227 points are second most in program history behind three-time All-American Katie Ferris (33). She ranks eighth all-time in career goals and is second all-time in career assists.
• Along with earning All-America honors, Eipp was an IWLCA All-Region First Team pick, the Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year for the second straight season, and an All-Atlantic 10 First Team selection.

Tobin Impressive As Starter

• In her second year as a full-time starter, senior Amber Tobin has been one of the most consistent anchors of the Minutewomen's defense. The has started 42 consecutive games and is one of the most active players on the back line.
• Last year, Tobin was named to the A-10 All-Conference First Team and the A-10 All-Academic Team. She finished the year with IWLCA All-Region Second Team honors as well.
• This year, she was once again selected to the A-10 All-Conference First Team and the All-Academic Team.

Transfer U

• UMass has seemingly become a destination spot for transfers looking to find success. Erika Eipp is a prime example as she has become one of the all-time great players since transferring after her freshman year at Louisville.
• This year's roster has six transfer players including five who will return next season. Hannah Burnett, who transferred in this year from Florida, and Sarah Crowley, who transferred in last year from Virginia, having each played critical roles for the Minutewomen. Crowley has been a starter on both defense and in the midfield, while Burnett became one of UMass' top scoring threats following the injury to leading goal scorer Nicole Troost.
• Cincinnati transfer Alex Flobeck has been a key figure as a defensive reserve, while Florida transfer Bella O'Connor played key minutes on attack before suffering an injury just prior to the start of postseason play.
• Boston College transfer Kiley Anderson will redshirt the 2016 season but figures to be a key player in the future.
• One of the reasons why UMass has found success with transfers is a mix of a strong program, an academically strong University, and head coach Angela McMahon who was a transfer student-athlete herself.

Sverrisdottir Learns To Lax
•One of the most interesting additions to the UMass program this year was senior defender Rebekka Sverrisdottir. The native of Reykjavik, Iceland, was a four-year starter and all-conference selection on the UMass women's soccer team before joining the lacrosse program. During an offseason workout between the two teams, McMahon, Sverrisdottir and women's soccer coach Ed Matz discussed the possibility of making the move. The catch, Sverrisdottir had never played lacrosse before. Because of her great attitude and competitive work ethic, `Ice' took home a lacrosse stick over winter break and learned the game on her own. She earned a walk-on spot at the beginning of the season in her final semester so that she could challenge herself one more time. Sverrisdottir appeared in eight games for the Minutewomen and fittingly was the player to hold the final possession of the ball as the clock ran out on Senior Day. Unfortunately, Sverrisdottir had to return to Iceland this week to begin her professional career. She did leave UMass, however, as an Atlantic 10 Champion and experienced the NCAA Tournament - two of her goals.

McMahon One of the Nation's top Coaches

• In just her sixth year as the head coach at UMass, Angela McMahon is already the winningest coach in program history in terms of wins (111) and is No. 1 in win percentage (111-13, .895). 
• In her first three years at UMass, McMahon posted a 54-7 record from 2011-13 which was the best overall record of any women's lacrosse coach in NCAA history for their first three years at a school. 
• McMahon's 111 career wins at UMass passed legendary Hall of Famer Pam Hixon's 91 from 1979-87 which included 3 NCAA Tournament appearances and the 1982 NCAA National Championship.
• For her overall career, McMahon is 130-41 (.760) including her time at UMass, UConn and Bentley.

Banner Year For McMahon Family
The past year has been a great one for Angela McMahon's family. On top of her winning another Atlantic 10 title and taking the women's lacrosse program to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1984, her husband, Amherst College men's soccer head coach Justin Serpone, won the 2015 NCAA Division III National Championship. The pair have also been serving as co-head coaches for the Italian National Team where the team placed 7th among 16 teams at the European Championships this past fall.

Home Cookin'

• After nine years playing at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, the Minutewomen moved back to a newly refurbished Garber Field which recieved field turf and was expanded last summer. The now lacrosse-specific faciltiy is home to both the men's and women's programs at UMass.
• This season UMass was 9-0 at home which marks the fourth perfect home slate in the last five years. UMass has won 22 consecutive home games between the two venues which is tied with Maryland as the fourth-longest home win streak in NCAA History. UMass' streak of 31 home wins from March 2011-2014 stands as the third longest streak in NCAA history.
• In nine years at McGuirk Alumni Stadium the Minutewomen posted a 55-17 record.
• Since 2011, UMass has won 52-of-53 home games between McGuirk Stadium and Garber Field.

UMass Is A-10 Title Town

• UMass is 62-6 in the Atlantic 10 over the last eight seasons which includes eight A-10 Tournament Titles (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016), seven regular-season titles (2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016) and one tournament runner-up finish (2008).
• Since the loss against La Salle to end the 2010 regular season, UMass has won 59 consecutive games against A-10 teams (including A-10 tournament games) breaking the record of 25 set by Temple in 2001-03.
• UMass' 45 consecutive regular-season conference wins (2011-2016) set a new NCAA record. The previous record was held by Northwestern with 38 from 2005-11. UMass assistant coach Brianne LoManto was a part of both NCAA record with Northwestern (player) and UMass (coach).
• In addition to the past eight straight A-10 Titles, UMass also won the A-10 title in 2000.
• All-time, UMass is 95-29 (.760) in the Atlantic 10 and 20-7 (.741) in the A-10 Tournament. UMass also holds the league record for most regular-season wins (95) after passing former member Temple (74) during the 2014 season.
• UMass' eight consecutive conference championship titles is the longest consecutive run in Atlantic 10 history. UMass' nine overall Atlantic 10 Championships is also a league record.