Division I Men :      March 4, 2006 [ The Game Story]
Duke 7 Maryland 8 Scoring: Scoring: Matt Danowski Matt Zash Zack Greer Kyle Dowd Bret Thompson Peter Lamade Dan Flannery (1, 2) (2, 0) (1, 1) (2, 0) (1, 0) (0, 1) (0, 1) Xander Ritz Joe Walters Daniel Groot Bill Mcglone (5, 1) (1, 2) (1, 0) (1, 0) Saves: Saves: Dan Loftus 20  (0.714) Harry Alford 12  (0.632) Current Record :     (3-1) Current Record :     (2-0) Team Page For 2006 Team Page For 2006       The Game Story: Xander Ritz scored his fifth goal of the game in overtime to lead fourth-ranked Maryland past second-ranked Duke, 8-7, in ACC men's lacrosse action on Saturday afternoon as 4,242 fans looked on at Koskinen Stadium in Durham, N.C. The Terrapins improve to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in league play while the Blue Devils fall to 3-1 overall and 0-1 in the ACC. The loss ends Duke's school record home winning streak at 14 consecutive games dating back to the 2004 season. With the score tied 7-7 heading into overtime, Maryland won the ensuing face-off and held possession until Xander Ritz worked from behind the goal to score just 1:14 into the extra session. The Blue Devils led 2-1 after one period as midfielders Matt Zash and Kyle Dowd sandwiched goals around a tally by Xander Ritz. Maryland then used a 3-0 run to take a 4-2 advantage on Xander Ritz' goal from Joe Walters with 11:04 remaining in the second quarter. At the 3:41 mark, Duke's Bret Thompson scored on a feed from Matt Danowski and the Terrapins led 4-3 at intermission. The third quarter featured four consecutive man advantage goals, two for each club. Dowd's tally at the 12:01 mark knotted the game, and Walters found Xander Ritz with 6:17 remaining to give Maryland a 5-4 lead. After Bill McGlone's unassisted goal made the score 6-4, Zash countered with an extra man goal from Peter Lamade to pull Duke within one. Zack Greer closed out the quarter's scoring with a goal from Danowski at the 2:03 mark. In the fourth period, Duke took a 7-6 lead when Danowski scored from the right side at the 14:24 mark, but Walters found the back of the net with 8:17 remaining for the final goal in regulation. The loss spoiled an outstanding effort by Duke goalkeeper Dan Loftus, who was credited for a career-high 20 saves. Maryland's Harry Alford had 12 saves in the Terrapin net. Duke played the entire second half without the services of leading scorer Dan Flannery, who departed the game at the 3:03 mark of the second quarter due an injury. Xander Ritz added an assist with his five goals while Walters finished with one goal and two helpers. David Tamberrino won 10-of-18 face-offs. For Duke, Dowd and Zash had two goals apiece and Danowski logged one goal and two assists. Loftus and Zash each secured five ground balls. The Blue Devils return to action on Tuesday by hosting Holy Cross at 3 p.m. while the Terrapins entertain Towson in College Park on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Xander Ritz decided come loaded with his A-game, dropping 5 on the Blue Devils, including the game winner on a shorti iso from back right. Lots of penalties (and EMO conversions), some rough and tumble ground ball fights, conservative iso offense, lead changes throughout, sloppy clearing, and great goaltending from both keeps.

Story to come.....