Maryland may have been eliminated in NCAA men?s lacrosse national semifinals, but local fans still had plenty to cheer about as Virginia topped Massachusetts, 15-7, to win the national title Monday at Lincoln Financial Field.
Baltimore-area players made key contributions in the Cavaliers win, including attack Ben Rubeor (Loyola), who finished with two goals and two assists. Also, midfielder Kyle Dixon (Spalding) had two goals and an assist while fellow Anne Arundel County native and goalie Kip Turner (Severn) had six saves for Virginia.
Virginia?s win represents the second national title for Dixon, who was a freshman on the Cavaliers? last championship team in 2003. Dixon said he appreciates this title even more because of the added contributions he made this year. It also comes two years after the Cavaliers went 5-8 and missed out on the postseason and one year after Johns Hopkins eliminated Virginia in overtime in the national semifinals.
“That 2004 season and last year?s loss are part of who we are,”said Dixon, who finished the year with 20 goals and 21 assists.
Turner, a junior, said playing for a national championship in front of an NCAA-record 47,062 fans is a dream come true. He added that none of it would have been possible without the competition he faced in the MIAA A Conference, considered arguably the best high school lacrosse league in the country.
“This is just an unbelievable feeling,” Turner said. “You play in the MIAA to get ready to play at this level. That is the best high school lacrosse you are going to find and it really helps you prepare to play at the Division I level.”
In all, nine Marylanders participated in the national title game, including eight for Virginia. Annapolis native Jake Deane represented UMass? lone local player. The senior midfielder finished with a goal and an assist and eight groundballs while winning 10 of 25 face-off opportunities.
UMass coach Greg Cannella said Deane played tough under difficult circumstances.
“They three guys out there on faceoffs, and they have tremendous team speed especially on the wings,” he said. “Jake got tired out there since he played against three guys today.”
LOCAL NOTES
» Dixon, the fourth midfielder in ACC history with 50 career goals and 50 career assists, was recently named USILA national midfielder of the year. He was also named a Tewaarton Trophy finalist, which is given annually to the nation?s most outstanding player. In addition, Dixon was named a first-team All American selection this year.
» Turner was named a third-team All American this season as he entered Monday?s game with a 7.14 goals against average and a .580 save percentage.
» Deane finished the year with 143 groundballs and entered Monday?s game ranked fourth in the nation with a .630 faceoff winning percentage.
