Terrapins men’s lacrosse attackman Matt Rambo is no stranger to success in Philadelphia.
In last year’s run to the NCAA title game, the Terps played their two championship-weekend games at Lincoln Financial Field. Rambo totaled nine points in those outings, six in the semifinals against Johns Hopkins.
During the 2015 regular season, the Terps downed Villanova behind Rambo’s three goals and one assist.
And before the Glenside, Pennsylvania, native arrived in College Park, he was a three-time high school All-American who racked up 80 goals and 37 assists in his senior year at LaSalle College High School.
Tuesday night, Rambo added another chapter to his list of hometown achievements, notching a hat trick in the Terps’ 12-8 victory over Drexel. Coming off back-to-back losses, the Terps showed their grit, Rambo said — the quality he learned growing up 20 minutes down the road.
“Philly kids are tough,” coach John Tillman said. “They’re our types of guys, and we love them at Maryland.”
Rambo estimated about 15 to 20 people filed into the Vidas Field stands to support him — his parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents. Even his dad’s friends.
He made sure to put on a memorable performance.
Less than five minutes into the first quarter, he received a pass from midfielder Bryan Cole in traffic and cut toward the crease. When he unleashed his initial shot, it bounced back. So he scooped it up and made sure to find the back of the net on his second look.
About five minutes later, Rambo elicited more cheers from his fan section when he gave the Terps a 4-1 lead.
Rambo’s tenacity and production was a familiar sight in the area.
During his storied career with the Explorers, Rambo once scored eight goals in a victory over rival St. Joseph’s Preparatory Academy. A few of the goals came on what LaSalle coach Bill Leahy called ‘No, no, yes’ plays.
“He’d begin to do something, and as a coach, you’d yell at him, ‘No! No! No!'” Leahy said. “And then he’d score, and you’d say ‘Yes!'”
It was at LaSalle that Rambo built the foundation to become Inside Lacrosse’s second-ranked recruit overall and the top-ranked attackman in his class.
Rambo learned how to focus and improve in the weight room. The Explorers’ emphasis on riding opponents’ clears instilled an added layer of toughness. And facing elite schools from the Baltimore area such as Calvert Hall and the Gilman School helped humble the prolific scorer.
“Matt was used to scoring three and four, but on [those days], he had one goal and two assists,” Leahy said. “He had to kind of learn that every day is not ‘I’m going to score eight.'”
Rambo’s had a similar transition to start his junior year with the Terps. He’s s coming off the program’s first 40-goal campaign since 2004, but the offense has struggled to find a rhythm through the first four games.
They failed to exploit the nation’s top two defenses in Yale and Notre Dame in consecutive losses. And against Drexel, the unit went cold for the final 20 minutes of the first half.
“Coming from my standpoint from being a veteran guy, I can’t force anything,” Rambo said. “I trust the guys on the right and left of me, and if we’re on the same page, everything will become smoother.”
Rambo said the Terps have time. While they want to win every game, their focus is on improving as a group from week to week as they work toward their end goal: another trip to the final four.
Another performance in Philadelphia.
“It means a little bit more for me,” Rambo said. “You’re playing in your hometown.”
