College Crosse NCAA Tournament Recap: Maryland Comes Back To Defeat Towson In Overtime 14-13

Box Score: Maryland 14 vs. Towson 13

60 minutes just wasn’t enough for the first game between the Terps & Tigers since 2011. Fans at Johnny Unitas Stadium were treated to an instant classic today as both teams battled through regulation and into overtime before Maryland’s Louis Dubick scored the game-winner at the 2:21 mark of the first overtime session.

Towson got on the scoreboard first, but Maryland responded by scoring the next three goals to take an early 3-1 lead. Towson then went on a 6-0 run of their own from the 1:26 mark in the first quarter until the 4:46 mark of the second quarter to take a 7-3 lead over the Terps. Maryland cut the deficit to two and went into halftime down only 7-5. Both teams scored three goals apiece in the third quarter and the stage was set for a thrilling ending as Towson took a 10-8 lead into the final period.

Maryland scored the next four goals of the game to retake the lead for the first time since the first quarter. The Terps were up 12-10 with 5:31 left in the game, but the Tigers refused to go away easily and responded by scoring the next three goals to go up 13-12. Towson won the ensuing face-off and used all 80 seconds of the shot clock leaving Maryland only 28 seconds left to tie the game. Maryland successfully cleared the ball and Kyle Long calmly found Jared Bernhardt who tied the game up with only three seconds left in regulation.

Towson won the initial overtime face-off, but a costly turnover by Timmy Monahan gave the ball right back to Maryland. Freshman Kyle Long came up big again for the Terps as his feed from behind the cage found Louis Dubick right in front of the crease, who then buried the shot to send Maryland to the Quarterfinal Round in Hemptstead, NY to play the Virginia Cavaliers.

Kyle Long led the Terps in scoring this afternoon with five points (1G, 4As) on the day. Additionally, Bubba Fairman (3Gs, 1A), Logan Wisnauskas (3Gs, 1A), & Louis Dubick (2Gs, 2As) all had four points today. Danny Dolan had a bit of a rough time in goal at certain points, but Maryland needed each one of his 15 saves this afternoon. Jared Bernhardt had a good game but he was mostly held in check for the first three quarters. His three points today (2Gs, 1A) all came in the fourth quarter, including a highlight reel goal that gave Maryland an 11-10 lead late in the fourth quarter.

Towson played very well and it was a shame that someone had to lose today. They kept their turnovers in check (10), won the GB battle (34-24), dominated face-offs (22-9), & were perfect on clears (15-15). They also outshot Maryland 47-34. They just fell a bit short in the end.

Brendan Sunday was strong all afternoon, as he led the Tigers in points in with 5 on the day (4Gs, 1A). Additionally, Alex Woodall, playing with a broken jaw, had a great day at face-off, winning 22 of 31 attempts. Brody McLean (4Gs) & Timmy Monahan (1G, 3As) also played very well today, as both finished with four points this afternoon.

Maryland will now go on to play Virginia in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament. The two former ACC rivals have not played each other since Maryland left for the Big Ten. It’ll be tough for next week’s match-up to top this one today, as this afternoon’s Maryland vs. Towson contest was the best game of the first weekend so far. But given the history between the Terps & Cavaliers, I have a feeling next week’s game might just pull it off.