Men’s Lacrosse Falls in Big Ten Finals to Maryland, Will Face Harvard in NCAA

Maryland 17 – Rutgers 7

Despite their best efforts, Rutgers Men’s Lacrosse (13-3) couldn’t overcome undefeated Maryland (14-0) in the Big Ten Tournament Final, falling 17-7 on Saturday night.

Even with the loss the Scarlet Knights are heading back to the NCAA Tournament, and will host Harvard on Friday.

Twice Rutgers tied the game in the early stages on goals by Mitch Bartolo and Ronan Jacoby, but it wasn’t enough to stymie the Terrapins offense, as Maryland went on a 6-0 run through the second quarter to take an 8-2 lead. They would never look back.

Logan Wisnauskas and Anthony DeMaio were key cogs for Maryland during the stretch, exchanging four goals during that run. Wisnauskas and DeMaio each scored four goals by the time the game ended.

Maryland enters the NCAA Tournament as DI’s only unbeaten team. In fact Rutgers only losses in conference this year have come at the hands of the Terrapins.

“Maryland is a very good team,” Rutgers Head Coach Brian Brecht said. “That’s probably the best team in college lacrosse I’ve seen over the past five to ten years. We need to do a better job when playing against them in taking care of ourselves and not having self-inflicted wounds. I’m disappointed because I do think we have a good team. I love our guys, I think they work incredibly hard, they practice hard. They prepare well. They are great young men that do everything the right way. I feel bad that we haven’t played well when matching up with a team like Maryland if we’re going to be successful.”

Rutgers awaits to see whom they will play in the NCAA Tournament which begins later this week.