The No. 1 Maryland Terrapins capitalized against the No. 5 Princeton Tigers 13-8 leading the Terps to victory in the NCAA semifinal game in Hartford, Connecticut.
Storms in the area created a 4-hour weather delay due to rain did not stop the number one team in the nation from getting the job done.
The Terps took an early lead in the game as graduate student Keegan Khan scored the first three goals for the Terrapins in his first championship game as a Terp, followed by goals from senior Kyle Long and fifth-year Bubba Fairman.
“Our offensive flow a the start was awesome, we got the ball spinning…we know we need to be sharp right out of the gate”
-Regan Khan (Attack)
Princeton added to the board in the second but fifth-year Logan Wisnauskas answered quickly making increasing the lead to 6-2. The Tigers battled to score two more goals making the score 7-4 at the half.
In the third, Wisnauskus clapped back quickly, advancing the score to 8-4. After a goal by junior Jack Brennan, sophomore Owen Murphy put two points on the board increasing the Terps’ lead to 11-4.
The Tigers scored the final two points of the quarter ending the third with a score of 11-6.
Wisnauskus opened the fourth quarter on fire with another goal, recording his 40th career hattrick.
The final Terp goal was scored by scored once again by Wisnauskas for the 13th goal of the season, Princeton ended the game with a late goal making the final score 13-8, Maryland.
Coach John Tillman is hopeful in the Terps monument to keep the win streak going but knows that the championship game will not be an easy one.
“We’ll definitely have our work cut out for us”
-Maryland Coach John Tillman
Tillman emphasizes the importance of sleep in the quick two-day turnaround before the championship game. The Bears and Terps matchup has been seen before at the bringing of the year when both teams scrimmaged each other at the beginning of the season. Previously playing to team this season will let guide the Terps in preparation for the matchup.
“We can play fast and free and really play and execute well”
-Maryland Coach John Tillman
Many records were broken on Saturday at Rentschler Field. Wisnauskas become Maryland’s career leading scorer, after his 203rd career goal.
Logan McNanery made a career-high of 19 saves in the semifinal game.
For the first time in history, the Terps have a game record of 17-0 and look to further their record to 18-0 following the championship.
Maryland looks to collect another title and finish the job as they head into the championship game to take on No. 5 Cornell on Monday at 1 p.m.
