Entering Navy’s match against Maryland men’s lacrosse, Midshipmen coach Rick Sowell was worried about his team’s quick turnaround.
Navy’s Tuesday practices are the most grueling of the week, Sowell said, and facing the No. 5 Terps, whom he called “arguably the best team in the country,” three days after downing rival Army was daunting.
Coach John Tillman was anxious, too. He had spent 12 years on the Navy sideline as an assistant and knew the tenacity the Midshipmen would bring to Maryland Stadium.
By the end of Tuesday evening’s bout in College Park, though, Tillman could relax while Sowell was left to question his squad’s shortcomings. Navy committed a season-high 18 turnovers, and Maryland capitalized on long possessions in its 10-5 win.
“Really impressed with how hard the guys competed,” Tillman said. “We rode our butts off, created some loose-ball situations and certainly got some good opportunities.”
The Midshipmen’s giveaways began after they jumped out to a 1-0 lead two-and-a-half minutes into the action. Navy faceoff specialist Brady Dove won the ensuing possession, but the Midshipmen committed three of their four first-quarter turnovers in the next series.
The first two came unforced, while attackman Dylan Maltz rode the clear for the third giveaway.
Navy defender Matt Rees fielded a ground ball later in the period after Navy goalkeeper John Connors’ save, but Maltz swooped in to cause the turnover and negate the transition. Moments later, midfielder Henry West deposited a shot into the back of the net to tie the game.
Maryland continued that aggression in the second quarter, outscoring Navy 5-1 in the frame. After Tillman took a timeout with about six minutes left in the period, the Terps benefited from two unprompted Navy turnovers. The latter positioned West for his second score of the night, pushing the team’s advantage to 6-2.
“I wouldn’t say we were deflated, [because] if you go in that locker room, we’ve got a bunch of warriors in there,” Navy defender Chris Fennell said of the team’s halftime atmosphere after the Terps built a five-goal gap. “We’re going to come back and give 100 percent, regardless of whether we’re down 100 or down two or up by 10.”
Still, the Terps’ pace didn’t allow the Midshipmen many chances to erase the deficit.
Attackman Colin Heacock netted his second goal about a minute and a half into the third period. While Navy midfielder Greyson Torain added one of his three scores two minutes later, the Terps controlled possession for almost the remainder of the quarter.
After Torain’s point, the Terps outshot Navy 9-1 in the ensuing 10 minutes, drawing two 30-second stall warnings in the process. Navy also played shorthanded for a minute and committed two turnovers during that stretch.
“The coaches work tirelessly for every game, and it’s just awesome to have that passion and drive from them,” said defender Greg Danseglio, who finished with three caused turnovers and four ground balls. “It just really pushes us to fulfill their expectations and live up to the Maryland standard.”
Attackman Louis Dubick capped the scoring in the third quarter when he received a laser feed from midfielder Bryan Cole and redirected it into the cage to make it 9-3. The Terps cruised the rest of the way, beating the Midshipmen for the seventh straight time.
“In the third quarter, they must have had the ball 10 or 12 minutes,” Sowell said. “They’re an awfully good team.”
