Leading by two goals early in the first quarter, No. 2 Maryland men’s lacrosse offense came out of the gate firing on all cylinders against No. 12 Princeton.
But the Terps’ offense went extremely cold, going on a 19-minute scoring drought in the first half. Maryland’s offense didn’t find its rhythm for most of Saturday and looked extremely stagnant.
Maryland charged back from a three-goal deficit late in the game, led by Eric Spanos, and with just seconds left on the clock, Elijah Stobaugh had a chance right in front of the net.
The shot was stopped by Princeton goalie Ryan Croddick to hand Maryland its second consecutive loss, 13-12.
After Chris Lyons scored with just under two minutes remaining in the game to cut the lead to one, Maryland’s Jonah Carrier was unable to win the crucial faceoff to retain possession.
Eric Kolar stole the ball back for the Terps, but neither he nor Matt Higgins could tie the game for the first time since the second quarter.
“I thought we got a good look by [Higgins],” head coach John Tillman said. “Then we got another good look at the end and just didn’t capitalize.”
Despite the Terps’ inability to score for most of the game, both offenses started quickly. Through just over eight minutes of play, each team had scored four goals, combining for 13 total shots and just four saves.
Even with the early fireworks, problems started to emerge for the Terps. Neither team was able to break through for the final seven minutes, with both offenses allowing costly turnovers.
Turnovers proved to be a huge problem all game. Maryland had 13 in total, which limited any consistent offense. Lots of the turnovers came in big spots when the offense was trying to get into transition.
“Good teams make you pay and Princeton is definitely one of those,” Tillman said. “Some of those guys are young guys… sometimes experience is the best teacher.”
The Terps’ defense momentarily stopped the bleeding during the offensive drought. Will Schaller made plays to minimize the damage. But those few minutes would be the only time Maryland contained the Tigers’ attack all game.
Paired with some wide-open shots allowed, the Terps left the door open for the Tigers to take advantage. Maryland defenders were unable to make life difficult for the opposing attackers as Princeton made easy runs towards the net.
Princeton combined its control of possession with back-to-back goals to stamp a 5-1 scoring run, including two goals from Peter Buonanno, and took a lead it never relinquished.
The Tigers’ offense balanced its scoring throughout, with five different players tied for the team lead with two. Midfielder Chad Palumbo led the way in points, adding an assist to his pair of goals.
Maryland struggled to keep pressure on the Tigers throughout the end of the first quarter and nearly the entire second quarter. Turnovers continued to be a problem, and a faceoff duo that had been elite so far this season won less than half in the first 30 minutes.
Compounding Maryland’s offensive problems, Croddick made five saves in the second quarter, helping to totally shut down the attack.
Even with the faceoffs turning heavily towards Maryland in the second half, winning 11 of 14 opportunities. The offense could not capitalize, struggling mightily to beat the Princeton defensive formation.
“Princeton definitely has a great defense,” Spanos said. “They’re super athletic, and just seeing that out there it’s tough at times.”
Reeling with back-to-back losses now, Maryland will need to improve in multiple areas if it wants to return to the national championship game, where it has ended its season in the last two seasons.