Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Maryland
Fourth-Quarter Flurry Helps #3 Maryland Escape with 14-8 Win over #19 Bucknell.
3/11/2003 7:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
March 11, 2003
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - No. 19 Bucknell gave third-ranked Maryland all it could handle Tuesday afternoon, but the Terps used a five-goal fourth quarter to break open a close game and thwart the Bison's upset bid, 14-8 at Maryland's artificial turf facility.
Dennis Geraghty scored three goals and Rob Lane and Andrew Copelan added two each for Bucknell. Two teams known for their defensive prowess played to a 6-6 tie after a wild first quarter, and Maryland led only 7-6 at the half and 9-7 after three periods.
Maryland freshman Joe Walters scored two of his four goals on the day in a 37-second span early in the fourth quarter to give the Terps some breathing room, and Ryan Moran, who also scored four goals, scored two more insurance goals later in the period.
Geraghty scored twice in the first quarter for the Bison, but Maryland took a 6-3 lead on Brian Hunt's tally with 2:32 remaining. But Bucknell stunned the Terps with three quick scores in the final 1:21. Worthy Sanders finished an Andrew Copelan feed to make it 6-4 and Rob Lane made it a one-goal contest with his second unassisted goal of the day with 24 seconds left in the quarter. After a big faceoff win from Mike Petrash, Copelan solved standout netminder Danny McCormick with just six seconds left for a 6-all tie.
The 12-goal first period surprised those in attendance, as Bucknell entered the game having allowed only four goals in its last two contests and 17 in three games this season, while Maryland ranked No. 1 nationally in scoring defense in 2002.
McCormick and Justin Sussman - both preseason honorable mention All-America goalies - buckled down in the second quarter, making four saves apiece. The only score of the period came off the stick of Maryland's Bill McGlone just 1:05 before halftime. Bucknell had four extra-man chances in the second quarter but could not convert.
Walters and Moran scored in the third quarter to give the hosts a 9-6 advantage, but after a scrum in front of McCormick, Copeland beat the buzzer with just 0:01 remaining in the quarter to bring Bucknell back within 9-7. But Maryland outscored the Bison 5-1 in the third, with the three-goal flurry in a span of 1:31 a backbreaker for Bucknell.
Sussman finished with 14 saves for the Bison, giving him 64 in four games this season. He made seven saves in the third quarter to keep the Orange and Blue within striking distance after 45 minutes.
Walters added two assists for a six-point afternoon for Maryland. Mike Mollot added four helpers. In addition to his four goals, Moran won 10 of 12 faceoffs.
Maryland outshot Bucknell 36-28 and held a 33-19 edge in ground balls. The Terps controlled 15 faceoffs to Bucknell's 10.
The Bison are now 2-2 on the season, with both losses coming to top-10 teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference. Bucknell fell to ninth-ranked North Carolina 13-3 in the season opener on Feb. 22. Maryland is 3-0.
After four straight games away from home, the Bison host Mount St. Mary's in their home opener on March 19 at 4 p.m. at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.
#19 BUCKNELL 6 0 1 1 -- 8 #3 MARYLAND 6 1 2 5 -- 14BUCKNELL BREAKDOWN: Goals - Geraghty 3, Copelan 2, R. Lane 2, Sanders. Assists - Cara, Copelan, Goodman.
MARYLAND BREAKDOWN: Goals - Moran 4, Walters 4, Hunt 2, McGlone, Passavia, Smith, Urlock. Assists - Mollot 4, Walters 2, Brock, Gillette, Hunt, Passavia.
Shots: Bucknell 28 (10-6-7-5). Maryland 36 (9-9-10-8).
Ground Balls: Bucknell 19 (3-7-6-3). Maryland 33 (9-7-6-11).
Saves: Bucknell 14 (Justin Sussman 3-4-7-0). Maryland 9 (Danny McCormick 3-4-0-2).
Faceoffs: Bucknell 10 of 25. Maryland 15 of 25.
Penalties: Bucknell 8 for 7:00. Maryland 8 for 5:00.
Extra-Man Opportunities: Bucknell 1 of 7. Maryland 3 of 6.
Team Records: Bucknell 2-2. Maryland 3-0.
