Maryland looked to get back in the win column after suffering its first loss of the season last week, and they did so in dramatic fashion after defeating Brown, 14-13, in the third overtime win of the season.
A big reason the game ended up closer than expected was the loss of face-off man Luke Wierman, who head coach John Tillman said was banged up in last week’s loss.
“I kind of felt like not playing him today was the best thing for Luke,” Tillman added. “We’ll reevaluate on Monday and see where he’s at.”
Shea Keethler stepped in to fill Wierman’s place and won a career-best 12 faceoffs, but Brown capitalized early after consecutive goals gave them an early 2-0 lead.
Maryland came out slow and it showed on offense with turnovers becoming an issue for the second consecutive week with four times alone in the first quarter on plays leading to Brown’s goals.
Jack Koras and Owen Murphy found the back of the net to tie the game at two with 6:57 left in the first quarter. Brown answered before two goals from Daniel Matlz took the game into the second quarter tied at four, but Brown looked to be the better team out on the field.
In the second quarter, Brown continued to look like the more dominant team and the scoreboard started to reflect that. Brown scored three quick goals to start the second quarter giving them a 7-4 lead less than three minutes into the quarter. Maryland answered back one minute later to cut into the Bears’ run before a third goal from Maltz cut it back to a one-goal deficit, but a late goal from Brown handed the Terps an 8-6 deficit at the break.
Brown drew first blood once again with a goal just 18 seconds into the second half, putting Maryland back on their heels. The two teams traded goals once more but staring at a 10-7 deficit less than four minutes into the second half, Maryland’s offense took over with a 5-0 run into the fourth quarter thanks to Ryan Siracusa and Braden Erksa finding the back of the net.
Brown responded right back with two goals of their own to tie the game at 12 with just under three minutes to go. With 2:07 left in the game, Erksa would net his fifth goal of the game to give the Terps the lead back in a 13-12 game. But just like the rest of the game, Brown responded with a goal of their own with 45 seconds left to send the game into overtime.
Keethler proved to be the unlikely hero with an overtime faceoff win giving Maryland possession before head coach John Tillman called a timeout to set up the game-winner. After a second faceoff win, the fourth goal of the game from Maltz proved to be the difference shortly after, giving Maryland a thrilling 14-13 win over Brown.
This week’s players of the game are Erksa and Keethler. Erksa finished the day with five goals as well as adding three assists giving him eight total points on the day. Keethler stepped up to fill a huge void today, including winning the final two face-offs of the game to give the Terps a chance to win the game twice. Keethler finished the day going 12-for-20 on faceoffs after splitting reps with Sean Creter.
With the win, Maryland moves to 5-1 and is back at home next Saturday afternoon to host regional foe and national powerhouse Virginia for a 3 PM start. The game is set to air on the Big Ten Network.
Maltz wins it!#BeTheBest pic.twitter.com/LT8yt8KE0q
— Maryland Men's Lacrosse (@TerpsMLax) March 9, 2024
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