Maryland overcame a huge postseason obstacle Sunday when the Terps defeated Princeton for the first time in the playoffs in the NCAA men?s lacrosse tournament quarterfinals.
Now second-seeded Maryland (12-4) has the chance to break through another tourney barrier when it faces unseeded Massachusetts (12-4) in the national semifinals Saturday (11:30 a.m.) at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The Terps are hoping to advance to Monday?s championship game after failing in their two previous Final Four trips in 2003 and 2005.
Unlike its most recent semifinal appearances against Virginia and Duke respectively, Maryland enters Saturday?s game as the favorite. The Terps are making their 19th trip to the Final Four while the Minutemen have never advanced this far in the tournament.
“I?m more confident in this group of players because of their experience and the way they trust each other on the field,” Cottle said. “They work very hard, but just as important, they?ve shown that when something bad happens, they rebound well and don?t dwell on it.”
Seniors dominate Maryland?s offense including attack and Tewaarton Trophy finalist Joe Walters (36 goals, 24 assists), along with midfielders Xander Ritz (33, 12), Bill McGlone (22,11) and Brendan Healy (21,11). Junior goalie Harry Alford anchors the Terps? defense with a 6.43 goals against average and a .621 save percentage.
Walters said Maryland?s past playoffs defeats offered the current Terps valuable experience in preparation for this weekend.
“We?re confident we have what it takes to reach the finals,” he said.
UMass counters Maryland offensively with attack Sean Morris (30, 36) and defensively with goalie Doc Schneider (7.9 GAA, .601 save percentage). In addition face-off specialist Jake Deane (63.6 winning percentage) could cause problems for Maryland?s David Tamberrino (58.8 winning percentage).
The Minutemen, like Maryland, are playing their best lacrosse of the year. They advanced Saturday after rallying from down 10-5 in the fourth quarter to win 11-10 in overtime against Hofstra.
“We?ve been knocking at the door for a while now and our guys really earned this one,” UMass coach Greg Cannella said. “Maryland is a great team and has really hit their stride since mid-April.”
FINAL FOUR NOTES
What: NCAA men?s lacrosse national semifinals
Who: Maryland (12-4) vs. UMass (12-4) at 11:30 a.m.; Virginia (15-0) vs. Syracuse (10-4) at 2 p.m. The winners play at 1 p.m. Monday for the national title.
Where: Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia
Did you know? Maryland leads the all-time series with UMass 2-0 ? The Terps are 9-9 all-time in the NCAA semifinals ? Walters is Maryland?s all-time career leader in goals (153) and points (227) ? Maryland?s last national championship came in 1975 under coach Buddy Beardmore, whose son, Jimmy, just coached Severna Park to the Class 4A-3A state title Wednesday over Dulaney ? Defender Jake Deane (Annapolis) is the lone Marylander on UMass? roster … Both semifinal games will be aired on ESPN2 with ESPN broadcasting the national championship game.
