Maryland Falls to Notre Dame in NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Final

Photo courtesy of Maryland Athletics

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Maryland’s bid for a national championship came up short in a 15-5 loss to Notre Dame in the NCAA Championship Game before 31,479 spectators Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field. The game was delayed by two hours due to thunderstorms.

The Terrapins scored twice in the opening minutes and the game was tied 3-3 with five minutes left in the first period when the Irish went on a 9-1 run to close the first half. Maryland was held to one goal in the second half as Notre Dame captured its second-straight NCAA title.

Notre Dame (16-1) held a slight edge in shots on goal, 25-21. Maryland's Daniel Kelly scored two goals and was named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team along with faceoff specialist Luke Wierman and defender Ajax Zappitello. Wierman won 17-of-24 faceoffs (70.8 percent) and collected a team-best six ground balls while Zappitello held Notre Dame’s Pat Kavanagh goalless for the first time this season. Kavanagh did finish with six assists and brother Chris Kavanagh led ND with five goals.

Maryland (11-6) reached the NCAA Final with wins over Top-10 opponents Princeton, Duke and Virginia. The Terrapins made their 17th appearance in an NCAA Final, which ranks second-best all-time.