A midboard cable connector assembly with a board connector and a cable connector. The board connector has terminals precisely positioned with respect to engagement features. A cable connector likewise has terminals precisely positioned with respect to complementary engagement features. When the connectors are pressed together for mating, the terminals of one or both connectors deform, generating a force that separates the connectors until the engagement features engage and block further backward motion. As the mating position is defined by the locations of the engagement features, the connectors can be designed with low over travel and a resulting short stub length, which promotes high frequency performance. High frequency performance is further promoted by a ground conductor interconnecting the beams forming mating contact portions of ground terminals, reducing the length of unconnected segments and by a cable clamp plate with complaint compression features that reduce distortion of the cables.