The Maryland men’s lacrosse team scored eight unanswered goals in the first half against Johns Hopkins on Saturday, which earned its attack widespread recognition.

But with a regular-season conference title on the line, the defense also delivered.

In their 12-5 win, the Terps held Johns Hopkins scoreless for the first 20 minutes and 47 seconds and tied their best mark this season for goals allowed.

Maryland frustrated the Blue Jays’ attack, pressuring them into uncharacteristic mistakes that fueled the initial 8-0 burst.

“We got a little tight and tried to be perfect,” Johns Hopkins coach Dave Pietramala said. “When we did have opportunities to cash in and stem the tide a little bit more, we didn’t. And the next thing you know, it was getting jammed right down our throat again for another three to four minutes.”

After Terps goalkeeper Dan Morris failed to make any first-quarter saves against Penn State and Rutgers, he provided four against Johns Hopkins. His quick reflexes in goal — along with improved communication from the crease — anchored the Terps’ opening frame shutout.

Overall, Morris made nine saves and recorded a .692 save percentage.

“[Morris] just gave us a lot of energy throughout the game,” defender Tim Muller said. “He’s been trying to be more vocal, and he really did that today and it helped the rest of the defense.”

Maryland’s stingy showing against Johns Hopkins stood out after the squad allowed double-digit goals in its previous four games. Defensive midfielder Isaiah Davis-Allen said the players focused on basics, such as strong on-ball defense, to halt the Blue Jays.

Johns Hopkins attackmen Kyle Marr and Shack Stanwick, who rank first and second on the Blue Jays in points, respectively, combined to register just one point against the Terps. The duo averaged 6.66 points per game entering the contest.

Muller said scout players in midweek training readied him to guard Stanwick. They mimicked the attackman’s dodges and mirrored the way he fakes with his right hand before using his left.

The Garden City, New York, native picked up two ground balls and caused a turnover against Johns Hopkins.

“These guys always do a good job of acknowledging the scout team, but that’s part of what we believe in,” head coach John Tillman said. “Those kids bust their ass all week, and we get really good looks. And then, when we get in the game, it’s like, ‘OK, now I feel like I’m pretty well prepared.'”

After its successful training leading up to Saturday’s showdown, Maryland held John Hopkins to three goals through the first three quarters before allowing a pair of fourth-period scores with the game out of reach.

Combined with an offense that converted six of its first eight shot attempts, the Terps overmatched the Blue Jays.

“That’s the best team we’ve played this year,” Pietramala said. “That was the most complete team we’ve played and the most balanced team we’ve played.”