After a pair of road victories to start the season, Maryland men’s lacrosse coach John Tillman was eager to play a game in College Park. He said it would be “awesome” to watch his players rush onto the field at Maryland Stadium for the first time this year.
The Terps enjoyed their pregame routine against High Point on Saturday, with midfielder Nick Manis jumping around and waving the state flag as he led the Terps through the tunnel, but the team didn’t dwell on the festivities.
Instead, No. 2 Maryland used its offense to dominate High Point in a 19-5 win.
“Our guys were really excited to play and certainly there was a lot of energy,” Tillman said. “I give our guys a lot of credit coming off a Tuesday night away game and then coming back [home] and bringing that focus … That says a lot about the leadership of this group.”
Attackman Matt Rambo extended his torrid start to the year with three goals and three assists to pace the Terps (3-0). He’s had at least six points in every game this season.
Maryland also received a boost from attackman Dylan Maltz, who registered his second hat trick of the campaign on just five shots. The Terps outshot the Panthers, 50-30.
“We ran very well and I thought our offensive guys, especially our attack, did a really good job at transition opportunities with their decisions and sharing the ball,” Tillman said.
For the third straight contest, the Terps scored in the first minute. Faceoff specialist Austin Henningsen won the opening draw and burst down the field. When Panthers defenders swarmed to cut him off, he fed Rambo for the goal.
Henningsen, who was criticized for a subpar display in the season opener at then-No. 11 Navy, followed up a strong midweek showing against Saint Joseph’s with another quality performance. He went 13-for-17 on draws and registered three points against High Point (1-2).
He attributed his turnaround to the coaching of volunteer assistant Chris Mattus, who has worked extensively with the Terps’ faceoff specialists over the past week.
After Henningsen set up the quick strike to begin the game, Maryland slowed down and controlled possession. The deliberate tempo reflected the style Tillman pushed for last weekend after a sloppy start against Navy.
Following an extended possession late in the first frame, midfielder Tim Rotanz performed a shot fake 10 yards from goal to evade a High Point defender and notch an unassisted finish. The score, his second of the season, gave the Terps a 4-1 advantage.
Maryland’s attack continued to put pressure on the Panthers’ defense with patient passing and well-timed shots. As a result, the squad managed to pull away before halftime.
Two spectacular second-quarter finishes turned the game into a blowout.
First, midfielder Nick Brozowski beat Troutner with a deep right-handed shot from the left side, putting the Terps up, 8-2. When the effort hit the back of the net, he held his stick high in the air with one hand and performed a sweeping fist pump with the other.
Maryland goalkeeper Dan Morris, who made 12 saves, then deflected a Panthers shot all the way to midfield. Defender Bryce Young picked up the high bouncing ground ball on the run and passed to Maltz, who converted to complete his hat trick.
“Morris had his best game,” Tillman said. “He seemed more relaxed and comfortable … Today it looked like it all kind of came together for him.”
The Terps coasted in the second half, outscoring High Point, 6-0, in the third quarter to increase their advantage. Three of those scores came on man-up opportunities, an area the squad has excelled at this year.
With about five minutes left in the third frame, Rambo earned his hat trick. Thirty seconds later, freshman midfielder Jared Bernhardt provided Maryland’s 15th score, giving him five goals in his first three college starts.
The easy victory over the Panthers propelled the Terps to their first three-game winning streak to begin a season since 2014. To reach that mark in front of home fans was special.
“There’s nothing better than playing in Maryland Stadium,” Maltz said. “We pride ourselves [on playing well] at home.”
