No. 2 Maryland men’s lacrosse looks to extend undefeated record as it hits the road to face Michigan
(Photo Courtesy of Maryland Athletics.)
Maryland (7-0, B1G) has an opportunity to push button its undefeated record to viii-0 for the first time since 2004 with a victory over Michigan (two-5, B1G) on Saturday.
The trip volition be a unique one for the Terps in this unconventional flavor as it's the first fourth dimension they'll fly to a road game. The last time these 2 teams faced off Maryland handedly defeated Michigan 20-9 dominating throughout, showcasing unselfish law-breaking and stellar defense.
"I know information technology's never easy especially league games away, we've got to come out set and rely on our older players," caput motorbus John Tillman said. "We're at the indicate in the season where there's simply three games left, so there'due south got to be a loftier sense of urgency."
In the showtime matchup through three quarters the Wolverines had just three goals, unable to diagnose Maryland'due south defence. However, Michigan is coming off a big 13-10 win over Johns Hopkins on the road, starting to proceeds conviction and chemical science as the season builds with but three regular season games remaining.
Attackman Josh Zawada notched a hat-trick against the Blue Jays and has been the focal betoken of Michigan's attack throughout this season. He'due south the team'southward leading goal scorer and beat out Logan McNaney four times in the flavor opener.
Limiting Zawada's success forth with slowing downwards attackman Bryce Clay and midfielder Jake Bonomi will be a focal betoken for the Terps defensively. Maryland is surrendering the to the lowest degree amount of goals in the conference, led by Nick Grill and Brett Makar. Matt Rahill and McNaney in net round out the solid unit.
However, the unsung heroes of the defensive unit are Maryland'due south defensive midfielders have been fantastic. The unit of measurement of Alex Smith, Jake Higgins, Roman Puglise and Joshua Coffman have stifled opposing teams' midfield units. They've besides provided quick transition opportunities for the Terps turning defense into offense.
"We're going to come out with intensity, nosotros tin can't be happy that we gave up [nine] goals terminal time," Smith said. "Nosotros're always gonna strive to beat that and hold [Michigan] to less than that. We have to exist actually locked in with preparation."
Converting those transition opportunities and making opponents pay for their mistakes has been a cardinal element of Maryland's success offensively. Whether it'south forcing a turnover off the ride or intercepting a pass defensively, Maryland's opponents accept consistently paid for their mistakes.
The Terps will look to keep that trend on Saturday against the Wolverines who turned the ball over 19 times in the commencement meeting. In each of Maryland's seven victories this season the opponent has committed more turnovers, often a byproduct of the Terps' persistence on the ride and agile sticks defensively.
Jared Bernhardt, Logan Wisnauskas or Daniel Maltz are often the beneficiaries off opponents turnovers, developing cracking chemistry as an attacking unit. That experience and continuity has immune Maryland'southward attack unit to thrive in those unsettled situations off of opponent'southward giveaways.
"In those unsettled situations, those broken situations we're lucky considering we accept a pretty experienced team that in those spots nosotros feel comfortable that we tin explore those and they don't turn into all or nothing plays where the guys but become recklessly to the goal," Tillman said. "I think veteran players are able to make those decisions, they've made some good plays. They've made some mistakes through the process."
Face-off is at 1 p.thousand. and the game will air on BTN+.
Source: http://wmucsports.net/no-2-maryland-mens-lacrosse-looks-to-extend-undefeated-record-as-it-hits-the-road-to-face-michigan/
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