There was nothing normal about this game. From the start time being moved to an unusual 10 am, to the game being played indoors at the Jones-Hill House, to Daniel Kelly, who has never scored in his career, leading all scorers. The Terps controlled the game for all 60 minutes, absolutely dominating the Great Danes and putting this game away before halftime.
You couldn’t have asked for a better start if you were Maryland. The Terps didn’t score until three minutes into the game, but after that, the floodgates opened as they went up 11-0 in the opening frame, the most goals for Maryland in a quarter this season. Wisnauskas, Donville and Long all had 2 goals in the first quarter with Owen Murphy, Malever, DeMaio and LSM John Geppert all adding one each. The defense wasn’t asked to do much with Weirman winning nine of 12 draws and the offense getting four man-up opportunities. When the defense was called upon, they showed up to limit Albany to just two shots on goal the whole quarter compared to Maryland’s 14.
The second quarter was much of the same. Although Albany was able to finally get on the board, Maryland was in control. Bubba Fairman, who converted to an SSDM this year, got his second goal of the season, as well as Geppert. The Terps took a 18-2 lead into halftime, by far their most dominant half. In the second half, the scoring slowed down as John Tillman started to empty his bench, allowing other players to see the field. But much like the first, Maryland controlled the game.
The star of the game however was Daniel Kelly. The sophomore from Calvert Hall had a coming out party today in College Park, scoring not only his first career goal, but four total. Kelly’s breakout performance today shows the depth that Maryland and the other powerhouse programs have and why they can replace their star players when they leave or when they have players transfer out.
It was strange to see Albany struggle so much, especially on the offensive end. A program that is used to having players like Lyle and Miles Thompson, Connor Fields and Tehoka Nanticoke among others, clearly does not have that player on their roster right now. That’s no hate on Albany, it just shows the difference in the caliber of programs and the way Maryland can recruit. Every year there are a handful of players who transfer out because there is not enough playing time to go around, just to see them go and become stars at other schools. Given he’s a sophomore, I would not be surprised to see Daniel Kelly have a larger role on the team next season.
With the win, Maryland’s 24 goals are the most since March 21, 1995.
Up next for Maryland is the game of the year, as the Terps head down the Audi Field for the Capitol Classic Lacrosse Tournament where we will face #2 Virginia in a National Championship rematch at 3 pm and can be watched on BTN. The other game that day will feature Duke and Towson.