COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Senior Connor Kelly totaled eight points on four goals and four assists to lead the No. 1 Maryland men’s lacrosse team to an 11-10 victory over No. 7 Rutgers in rainy conditions Sunday afternoon at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium.
The red-hot Kelly now has 15 points over his last two games, and became just the third Terrapin since 2000 to total 60 points in a single-season (Matt Rambo, Joe Walters).
Connor Kelly on the run!
— Maryland Lacrosse (@TerpsMLax) April 15, 2018
Terps score three goals in 80 seconds to extend the lead!
Q4 3:21 | 11-9 Terps#BeTheBest pic.twitter.com/HeXUKqvcON
The win ensured Maryland (10-1, 3-0) its NCAA-best 16th consecutive 10-win season, as it took sole possession of first place in the Big Ten Conference standings. The Terps also clinched a berth in the Big Ten tournament, which will be hosted by Michigan.
Senior goalkeeper Dan Morris finished with 10 saves while junior Austin Henningsen won 4-of-6 fourth quarter faceoffs.
Trailing 9-8 with less than five minutes to play, a three-goal outburst in a span of 1:20 was the difference as the Terps took an 11-9 lead and held on for the win.
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Redshirt freshman Anthony DeMaio and senior Tim Rotanz each scored their lone goals of the game to open the run, before Kelly gave the Terps a two-goal lead with 3:21 remaining.
The Terps uncharacteristically committed eight penalties in the game, but the man-down unit answered the call allowing just one goal.
Maryland stormed out of the gates to take a four-goal lead after the first quarter break. Kelly had a hand in all of Maryland’s first five goals, including a pair of man-up assist to Jared Bernhardt.
25-straight games with a point for Tim Rotanz and he puts the Terps back in front!
— Maryland Lacrosse (@TerpsMLax) April 15, 2018
Q4 3:53 | 10-9 Terps #BeTheBest pic.twitter.com/4u4yCm0D3F
Rutgers (8-4, 1-2) responded, however, scoring four straight goals of its own to tie the game, 5-5, entering halftime.
The Scarlet Knights twice took leads in the second half, but Maryland never wavered as it came back for victory.
Maryland returns to action next weekend for “Senior Day” when it takes on Ohio State in a rematch of the 2017 NCAA hampionship game. The game is set for 2 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
