PROVIDENCE, R.I.- Nationally ranked No. 1 Maryland won its 15th consecutive game Saturday while handing No. 6 Syracuse its final loss of the season in quarterfinals. The Terrapins beat the Orange 13-7 to advance to the NCAA semifinals in Philadelphia next weekend.
Syracuse scored the first goal of the game but it was the only time the Orange would lead. The Terrapins jumped on a 4-1 lead to end the first quarter, then 7-3 at the half. Maryland led 9-6 at the end of the third, and made a final statement in the fourth, winning the quarter 4-1 (again) and ultimately winning the game, 13-7.
“Hats off to Maryland,” Syracuse head coach John Desko said. “The tempo they played, the way they played today, they just played a complete lacrosse game. Defensively they’re really tough. Their goalie played great. First-team All-American... We knew we were going to have to have pretty close to a perfect game today and we didn’t.”
Maryland goalkeeper Kyle Bernlohr is credited with the win, saving eight of the first ten shots he saw. Bernlohr faced 22 shots on cage and made 15 saves. Dan Morris replaced Bernlohr with just over one minute remaining and saved the one shot he saw.
“Kyle had his best performance in today’s game,” Maryland head coach John Tillman said. “He was huge for us. When Syracuse had opportunities you’ve got to give Kyle credit, he came up huge for us.”
Syracuse’s offense took a total of 40 shots against Maryland. Tim Barber led the Orange in scoring with two goals and one assist. Nate Solomon followed with two goals and Sergio Salcido also had two points on one goal and one assist. Syracuse went one for five on extra-man opportunities.
“I gotta give it to them, they played great defense but everything we worked on in practice was there,” Dylan Donahue said. “We just didn’t capitalize at the end. It is frustrating, [Bernlohr] played a great game but that’s something you can’t think about, just gotta keep shooting, keep playing your game. It’s just unfortunate we didn’t get enough goals.”
“Our whole team was in the game the whole time, I don’t think there was ever a time we thought we couldn’t come back,” redshirt seniot defenseman Brandon Mullins said. “I just don't think we could ever get over that hump.”
Maryland’s offense was led by Matt Rambo with four goals and two assists. Pat Young recorded a season-high four goals, while Bryan Cole finished with four assists. Dylan Maltz, who transferred from Syracuse to Maryland added a hat trick for the Terrapins. Maryland scored on two of four man-up opportunities.
Syracuse goalkeeper Evan Molloy made four saves on 17 shots on cage. Brandon Mullins caused three turnovers on the defensive end for the Orange and picked up three ground balls.
Syracuse's Ben Williams won 15 of 24 face-offs, including each of the six in the third quarter. Maryland won five of six in the fourth quarter when it pulled away. Will Bonaparte won six of 13 face-offs for the Terps and Austin Henningsen won three of 11. Syracuse picked up 38 ground balls to Maryland’s 23. The Terps had 12 turnovers to Syracuse’s eight.
“Not our cleanest performance, but the kids found a way,” Tillman said.
With the win, Maryland improves to 16-2 and will face No. 5 Brown in the semifinals next Saturday in Philadelphia. The Bears beat Navy 11-10 in the second game at Brown on Saturday.
Syracuse finished at 12-5 for the season.
Syracuse finished at 12-5 for the season.
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