Maryland men’s lacrosse pulls away for 14-9 win over Albany

Maryland men’s lacrosse got its revenge after losing to Albany at home last season, defeating the Great Danes 14-9 on the road Saturday.

Jared Bernhardt was the star of the game, totaling a career-high eight points on three goals and five assists. Louis Dubick had a hat trick as well, with Logan Wisnauskas, Bubba Fairman and Anthony DeMaio each contributing two goals apiece. For the Danes, Mitch Laffin had a hat trick, while Jakob Patterson scored twice in Tehoka Nanticoke’s absence.

The Terps edged Albany in almost every phase of the game. Maryland won in ground balls 32-21, outshot the Danes 38-32, and finished 2-of-5 on extra man chances compared to just 0-for-1 for the opposition. Albany did force 17 Maryland turnovers and committed just 10 of its own to keep the help keep the contest close before the Terps pulled away.

Austin Henningsen and Justin Shockey combined for a strong day at the X, going 17-of-27 against a host of Albany face off specialists. For the first time in a couple of games, Shockey saw the majority of reps for the Terps, taking 20 draws and winning 12 of them.

Albany started the game strong on the defensive end, holding the Terps scoreless until the 2:24 mark in the first quarter and forcing five turnovers. Bernhardt helped to get things going offensively as a facilitator, assisting on both of Maryland’s two first-quarter goals. After one period, the Terps led 2-1.

Maryland began to figure out the Albany defense in the second quarter, though, possessing the ball for most of the period and getting five goals past Nate Siekierski. Bernhardt added two goals and another assist to his line, with Wisnauskas, Dubick and Kyle Long each contributing goals as well. Patterson put one past Danny Dolan early in the period, but five unanswered goals from the Terps put them up 7-2 going into the half.

The Danes began to go on a run of their own in the second half, outscoring Maryland 4-1 in the third quarter to pull close. Part of that spurt was fueled by Albany head coach Scott Marr placing two long poles on either side of the field on each faceoff draw, leading Maryland to commit six turnovers in the period. Dubick was able to bury his second goal of the game off an extra-man opportunity, but the Albany run had the score at 8-6 entering the fourth.

Albany continued its push into the fourth, responding to Maryland goals and keeping the margin at two with 7:23 left. But the Terps leaned on their star players to get them to the finish line, as Fairman and Wisnauskas provided the goals they needed to put the Danes away for good and give Maryland the five-goal win.

Maryland is back home next week when it faces Villanova next Saturday.

Three things to know

1. Tehoka Nanticoke didn’t play, and his absence was felt. With all of the headlines swirling around college lacrosse regarding Nanticoke’s eligibility, the sophomore phenom didn’t see the field at all in Saturday’s game. Apparently, it was an errant shot to the face at Friday’s practice that held him out.

Nanticoke plays a huge role in Albany’s attack, so not having to worry about him definitely made head coach John Tillman’s life easier.

2. Maryland finally converted on EMOs. After an 0-for-3 performance last weekend at Notre Dame, the Terps’ extra-man unit finally saw some marginal success. They went 2-of-5 on the day, which is still only has them at 5-of-19 (.263) on the season, but it would at least appear they’re heading in the right direction as a group.

3. Jared Bernhardt had a career day. The junior did it all for the Terps with three goals and five assists, dominating Albany all afternoon. That brings Bernhardt’s totals to 21 goals and 14 assists through six games, and while it’s too early to start having Tewaaraton discussions, he’s putting himself in the picture nationally.