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Maryland survives fifth-ranked Syracuse in 13-12 overtime thriller

On the road against its second consecutive top-ten opponent, Maryland was able to outlast Syracuse on the road after an overtime goal lifted the Terps to a 13-12 win as head coach John Tillman moved to 6-0 all-time against the Orange. Maryland's offense opened the game on fire after finding the back of the net five times in the opening quarter thanks to five different goalscorers with Braden Erksa, Daniel Maltz, Jack Koras, Ryan Siracusa, and Owen Murphy all chipping in. Maryland's defense did a great job at shutting down the Orange’s top offensive players, including Joey Spallina who was held without a goal until the middle of the third quarter. Syracuse was only able to get the ball past Terps goalie Logan McNaney twice in the first quarter, giving the Terps a 5-2 lead heading into the second quarter.  Syracuse would find its groove in the second quarter, though, while the Terps' offense found themselves in a drought and finished the rest of the half scoreless. Luckily though, the Terps defense was still playing great and only gave up two more goals to the Orange keeping the Terps in the lead heading into halftime with the score 5-4.  In the third quarter, Syracuse was starting to be able to pull apart the Terps' defense and was showing why they are considered one of the best offenses in college lacrosse. The Orange scored four goals on the Terps in the third helping them take a one-goal lead heading into the fourth quarter. Erksa and Koras both added a goal in the third quarter, but the Terps' offense sputtered with it still a one-possession game heading into the fourth. In the fourth quarter, both offenses seemed to find a bit of a groove with nine combined goals. Erksa scored his third on the day to start the final quarter but Syracuse answered right back. Erksa then scored his fourth goal on the day to tie the game back up, however, Syracuse would then answer with two more goals of their own giving them their biggest lead of the day. Koras would stop the Syracuse run shortly after giving him a hat trick of his own to cut the lead within one. Eric Spanos and Maltz would then add another two goals for the Terps to take the lead late in the fourth quarter. However, just like most of the game, the Orange were able to find an answer with just over a minute left in the game to tie it all up at 12. Luke Wierman would win the ensuing faceoff for the Terps giving them the ball for one last shot but the Terps came up empty sending the game to overtime.  Wierman won the opening faceoff in overtime, but once again the Terps offense came up empty and could not find the back of the net. Syracuse would wind up answering with what most Syracuse fans thought was the opening goal, however the goal was wiped off due to the Syracuse player entering the goal mouth. After a review upheld the call, Maryland took advantage of the game-saving call. On the following clear, Logan McNaney found Ajaz Zappitello who then passed it across midfield to Colin Sharkey, who then passed it to George Stamos who was wide open in the middle of the field and ran the ball down the rest of the way and wound up scoring the game-winning goal. https://twitter.com/TerpsMLax/status/1759058110000382034 Stamos was the unlikely hero for the Terps tonight. Stamos was originally a long stick defender however due to injuries at the short stick defensive midfielder position to Eric Kolar and Alex Wicks, Stamos has been called on to fill that spot and he has definitely answered the call scoring in back-to-back weeks and playing solidly on the defensive side of the field. This week's player of the game is Braden Erksa. Erksa finished the day with four goals as well as an assist, finishing with a game-high five points. The Terps return to action on Saturday, February 24th when they will host Princeton. Start time is set for 2 PM EST on ESPN+. Related Links Everything Kevin Willard, Jahmir Young said after 85-80 loss vs. IowaMaryland drops signature win opportunity, fall 85-80 vs. IllinoisFormer Maryland HC Lefty Driesell passed away at 92Gary Williams on ’04 ACC championship, ACC days, thoughts on WillardLocal four-star edge still has Maryland in his top group (+)

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