COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland’s men’s lacrosse team’s season came to an end with a 16-8 loss to Cornell in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Sunday afternoon at Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium.
The Terps finishes the season with a 10-4 record, while the Big Red advance to next weekend’s NCAA quarterfinals with a 13-3 mark.
Cornell jumped out to an early two-goal lead scoring twice in the first minute and a half of action. Matt Donovan and Steve Mock gave the Big Red the early advantage.
The Terps answered back at 11:04 when senior Jesse Bernhardt took an outlet pass from junior goalie Nike Amato the distance and scored on a 14-foot bouncer to cut the lead to 1-2.
Cornell finished out the scoring in the first quarter with two more goals. Mock added his second of the day and Rob Pannell extended to lead to 4-1.
Maryland again cut the Big Red advantage to one by opening up the second quarter with two goals of its own. Junior Mike Chanenchuk took a feed from senior Kevin Cooper and finished the 10 yard rip to the top left corner at 13:24.
Senior John Haus added his first goal of the day at 9:57 to cut the Big Red lead to 4-3. Senior Jake Bernhardt found Haus on the left wing and the senior overpowered the goalie with a stick-side high shot.
The Big Red answered back with two more goals to extend their lead to 6-3 with 7:41 remaining in the first half.
The Terps finished off the scoring in the first half when Cooper scored an unassisted goal on a nice inside move cutting under a Big Red defender at 6:01 to cut the Cornell lead to 4-6 heading into halftime.
Maryland and Cornell traded goals to open up the second half. After Pannell scored an unassisted goal, Haus answered with one of his own, tip-toeing the crease and finished inside the near pip at 10:37 to tighten the game to 7-5.
The Big Red refused to let the Terps get any closer as they answered with two more goals to again widen the gap to four at 9-5.
Sophomore Charlie Raffa scoped up a faceoff and took it down the right alley at 5:46 to cut the Cornell lead to 9-6. However, with just over 30 seconds remaining in the quarter Pannell scored his fourth goal of the game to put the Big Red up 10-6.
After Cornell scored two goals to open the fourth quarter, seniorOwen Blye scored an unassisted goal, coming around the right side of the cage at 8:09, to cut the lead to 12-7.
Cornell’s offense was simply too much though as Cornell scored four unanswered goals to put the game out of reach.
Maryland’s final goal came at 1:46 of the fourth with Jake Bernhardtscoring an unassisted goal on a dodge down the right alley.
Junior Niko Amato finished with 10 saves in just over 54 minutes of play, while Cornell’s AJ Fiore ended up with 12 stops.
In addition to his goal, Jesse Bernhardt caused five turnovers while scooping up a team high nine ground balls.
The game marked the final game of the careers for nine Maryland seniors; Jake Bernhardt, Owen Blye, Mike Scheeler,Landon Carr, Curtis Holmes, Billy Gribbin, John Haus, Jesse Bernhardt, and Kevin Cooper.
Game Notes:
• With today’s 16-8 loss, Maryland is now 13-3 all-time vs. Cornell.
• Maryland is now 48-34 all-time in NCAA tournament play and 14-4 in first round games.
• Senior Own Blye had one point to give him 109 for his career, which moves him past Bud Beardmore (1960-62) and Terry Kimball (1976-79) for sole-possession of 36th place on Maryland’s all-time points list.
• With two points on a goal and an assists, senior Kevin Cooper now has 21 multi-point games for his career.
• With two points on two goals, senior John Haus now has 27 multi-point and 14 multi-goal games for his career.
• Haus’ two points gives him 103 for his career, tying him with Steve La Vaulte (1966-68) for 41st on Maryland’s all-time points list.
• With two points on a goal and an assist, senior Jake Bernhardt now has 18 multi-point games for his career.
• With 10 saves, junior Niko Amato recorded his ninth game this season and 21st of his career with at least 10 saves.
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