Call it sweet redemption. The Maryland lacrosse program sees it as just another hurdle conquered en route to an ultimate goal.
The last time Maryland (12-4) and Princeton (11-5) faced off on the lacrosse field, the Tigers crept away with a 9-8 overtime win in the NCAA quarterfinal at the University of Virginia in 2004.
This time Maryland jumped out to a commanding lead early Sunday afternoon before 7,269 fans at Towson University?s Johnny Unitas Stadium, and played a smart second half to earn a ticket to Philadelphia with an 11-6 win.
“I think for us, we want to win two more games,” said Maryland coach Dave Cottle, the former mentor at Loyola. “Last year we were happy to get in the Final Four. This year we want to try to win.”
The Terps are now their home state?s lone hope at keeping the trophy in state, after Hopkins won last year.
The defending champs dropped a 13-12 decision to Syracuse on Saturday in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA men?s lacrosse tournament.
“I went in with the mindset that if I could get a goal or two, it would be a huge boost to the team,” Terp Michael Phipps said. “It would be a huge boost to our offense, because we rely so heavily on our first midfield.”
The Terps, on Sunday, opened with four straight goals, and jumped out to a 5-1 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
Princeton tied the game midway through the second quarter, but Maryland went on a 6-0 run over the next 38:09.
Maryland?s Tewaaraton nominee Joe Walters picked up a pair of goals and two assists, but the Terps offense was aided by reserve midfielders.
“When they score for us, it really gives us a burst,” Cottle said about his secondary-offensive options.
Junior Michael Phipps scored twice, and freshman Dan Groot added a goal and an assist in the victory.
“We?re playing for a lot of guys who played at the University of Maryland, that wore the jersey and wore it proudly,” Cottle said. “We?re going to do our daggone best to play great this next weekend. And that?s all it means to us and our players.”
Maryland is scheduled to face unseeded Massachusetts (12-4) this Saturday at 2 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
TURTLE TOUGHNESS
» Terrapin brothers Xander and Max Ritz scored a goal each, while Xander added an assist.
» Princeton?s roster featured six local players, including Gilman products Zach Goldberg, Charlie Kolkin and Dave Baker. Michael Biles (Severn), Zachary Jungers (Dulaney), and Greg Seaman (St. Paul?s) are also Baltimore-area natives.
» Maryland?s next opponent, UMass, downed No. 3 seed Hofstra, 11-10 in overtime Saturday.
» Saturday?s game between Maryland and UMass will air on ESPN2 at 2 p.m.
» Sunday?s NCAA quarterfinal doubleheader marked the final major sporting event at Towson University under the supervision of out-going director of athletics Dr. Wayne Edwards.
