Courtesy: Pete Emerson/UVa Media Relations Rhamel Bratton scored twice in the Cavaliers' 13-7 loss to Maryland Saturday.
COLLEGE PARK, MD—Using faceoff dominance and excellent goalie play, Maryland ended Virginia’s nine-game winning streak with a 13-7 win before 4239 fans Saturday afternoon at Byrd Stadium.
The Cavaliers lost their ACC opener for the first time in four years to fall to 9-1 overall this season. The loss will almost certainly knock them from the No. 1 ranking after a one-week stay. Maryland improves to 7-2 overall, including 2-1 in the ACC, with its third impressive outing in a row.
Travis Reed and Jeff Reynolds paced Maryland with three goals apiece as eight Terrapins found the back of the net; Reed added two assists. Jason Carter was outstanding in goal and finished with 15 saves before being replaced late in the game. Will Dalton won eight of 14 faceoffs as Maryland won 15 of 23 in the game and scored three times directly after faceoffs.
Midfielders Rhamel Bratton and Peter Lamade scored two goals each to lead Virginia.
The homestanding Terrapins took control of the game early after scoring on its first three shots of the contest. Ryan Young put Maryland on the board first with his seventh goal of the season less than two minutes in. Bryn Holmes won the ensuing faceoff and fed Jeff Reynolds in front six seconds later for a 2-0 advantage at the 12:55 mark.
Maryland tacked on its third goal of the afternoon as Reynolds scored his second of the period.
Lamade scored UVa’s first goal of the game at the 3:34 mark after the Cavaliers misfired on their first six shots.
Carter made four of his 15 saves in the first quarter while allowing just one goal.
“Maryland did a nice job on defense,” Virginia head coach Dom Starsia said after the game. “I thought we had some good chances early and Jason Carter made some great stops early in the game. He seemed like he came up with a big save whenever they had to have it.”
Maryland quickly extended its lead with back-to-back goals early in the second quarter. Travis Reed notched the first of his three at 11:30 with Will Dalton winning the next faceoff and scoring six seconds later for a 5-1 lead.
Brian Carroll scored his ninth extra-man goal of the season for Virginia, but two goals by Reed and single tallies by Rob Morrison and Ton Mendes put the Cavaliers in a 9-2 hole. Lamade closed the first half with his second goal of the game as Virginia trailed 9-3 at halftime.
Ben Rubeor and Rhamel Bratton opened the second half with goals that enabled Virginia to trim the deficit to 9-5 in the first five minutes of the second half.
Reynolds and Catalino countered for Maryland as the Terps doubled up the Cavaliers 11-5. Rhamel Bratton scored his second goal late in the quarter but the Cavaliers were unable to get any closer the rest of the way.
“We got completely outplayed by a Maryland team that was right on top of their game today,” Starsia said. “I thought we showed a little spark in the second half, which I was glad to see. There is a lot of lacrosse to play the rest of the season but this is certainly a bump in the middle of this long road. Maryland carried the play today and won a game that they certainly deserved to.
The Cavaliers return to action next Saturday at North Carolina in a contest starting at 4 p.m.
Scoring (G-A)— V: Peter Lamade 2-0, Rhamel Bratton 2-0, Ben Rubeor 1-1, Garrett Billings 1-0, Brian Carroll 1-0, Danny Glading 0-3, Jack Riley 0-1. M: Travis Reed 3-2, Jeff Reynolds 3-0, Grant Catalino 2-0, Ryan Young 1-1, Will Dalton 1-0, Brian Farrell 1-0, Tony Mendes 1-0, Rob Morrison 1-0, Bryn Holmes 0-1.
Goalie Summary—V: Adam Ghitelman 60 mins., 11 saves, 13 goals allowed. M: Jason Carter 58:54 mins., 15 saves, 7 goals allowed; Brian Phipps 1:06, 0, 0.
Shots: V —42, M—39 Ground Balls: V —37, M —35 Clearing: V —19x20, M —21x23 Faceoffs: V —8, M —15 Penalties: V —0, M —3-2:30 EMO: V —1x3, M —0
Full Scoreboard
Courtesy: Pete Emerson/UVa Media Relations