Division I Men :      March 21, 2006 [ The Game Story]
Maryland 14 Dartmouth 2 Scoring: Scoring: Joe Walters Xander Ritz Bill Mcglone Maxwell Ritz Danny Gallagher Joe Cinosky Will Dalton Travis Holmes Scott Tompkins Michael Phipps (4, 3) (3, 2) (2, 0) (0, 2) (1, 1) (1, 0) (1, 0) (1, 0) (1, 0) (0, 1) Brian Koch Brad Heritage Jamie Coffin (1, 0) (1, 0) (0, 1) Saves: Saves: Jason Carter Harry Alford Teddy Murphy 5  (1.000) 2  (1.000) 0  (0.000) Pat Marshall Andrew Mayer 11  (0.458) 1  (0.500) Current Record :     (5-1) Current Record :     (3-3) Team Page For 2006 Team Page For 2006       The Game Story:

Dartmouth didn’t have to deal with snow as the weathermen had predicted all week when they visited College Park today. Instead they had to contend with a hot offense, lights out defense, and a Terp Turf Troll dominating the faceoff X. Maryland picked up right where they left off in the second half of the UMBC game, pouring on the offense and playing tough physical D.

FOGO David Tamberrino set the tone for Maryland from the opening whistle, and went on to win 12 of the 13 faceoffs he took on the day. Joe Walters [4g,3a] and Xander Ritz [3g, 2a] lit up the scoreboard, combining for 12 points between them as they continued to make their claim as the best 1-2 punch in Division I lacrosse.

Defensively, the legion of Maryland shortsticks gave up nothing and Maryland’s starting longsticks controlled their matchups all day. LSM Ryan Clarke forced four turnovers and ignited Maryland’s transition game. Joe Cinosky went coast to coast to score a goal. Ray Megill forced three turnovers and Dartmouth didn’t even try and challenge Steve Whittenberg.

Last year when Dartmouth upset Maryland, they did so playing a very deliberate slow paced game, making the game shorter and controlling time of possession. The Terps didn’t allow Dartmouth that luxury today, netting seven goals in the first quarter and winning every faceoff of the half. Highlights of the quarter were a coast to coast clear by sophomore defenseman Joe Cinosky that ended when he ripped an outside shot for the Terps fourth goal and Walters’ spectacular knock down interception of a Dartmouth clearing effort that resulted in him going top shelf for the Terps 7th goal with just 1 second left in the quarter.

The second quarter was much of the same, as the Terps poured on 4 more goals and won every faceoff. An exhausted Dartmouth defense was forced to play zone much of the quarter, despite being down by so much. A nifty give and go from McGlone to Walters and back on a transition opportunity might have been the prettiest goal of the game. As the teams broke for the half, Maryland had a very comfortable 11-0 lead, having allowed just three shots in the first half.

Midway through the third quarter, Maryland pulled their starters and gave some of the younger guys a chance. Backup goalie Jason Carter was superb in relief of Harry Alford, recording some brilliant saves. Terp Midi Travis Holmes recorded the only goal of the 3rd off a nice diagonal feed from freshman Danny Gallagher. Gallagher netted his first goal as a Terrapin early in the 4th after taking a feed from Mike Phipps.

Dartmouth finally broke the shutout with less than seven minutes to play when Brad Heritage pinged the bottom left corner off a feed from Jamie Coffin. Maryland freshman Scott Tompkins scored his first career goal only minutes later and the scoring ended with about four minutes left when Dartmouth’s Brian Koch scored on an unassisted effort.

Dartmouth is on a three game skid after winning their first three and needs to regroup and prepare to travel to Albany and host Notre Dame before getting into their Ivy League schedule. Maryland is playing their best lacrosse right now and looks to have found their rhythm offensively after sputtering against Bucknell. They will finish their spring break in Chapel Hill against the enigmatic Tar Heels this Saturday.