Men’s Lacrosse Defeats No. 4 Maryland, Ending Losing Streak

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Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

Men’s Lacrosse Defeats No. 4 Maryland, Ending Losing Streak

Madison Burke

The Wildcats took on their third straight top-five ranked team, Maryland, at home on Tuesday night. After going 0-2 during their games against No. 1 Penn State and No. 3 Yale, the ‘Cats were able to pull out a 13-12 win.

Junior attack’s Keegan Khan and Corey McManus dominated in the first quarter with three assists and two goals combined. With only three minutes remaining, the Terrapins were able to tie up the game, 4-4.

In an incredible turnover and run from the defense, redshirt junior Patrick Kennedy scored to take the 6-5 lead. The ‘Cats closed the half, 7-6, with a McManus goal and assist from sophomore attack Patrick Daly.

In the eighth minute of the third quarter, senior captain Connor Kirst completed a hat trick and extended the ‘Cats lead to 9-7 over the Terrapins. Kirst was also named to the Tewaarton Watch List, for the second straight season. The list contains the top fifty players across all three NCAA divisions who are in contention for the 2020 Tewaarton Award.

With an assist from Khan, Daly netted his second goal of the night with only two minutes left in the third quarter. Soon after, the Terrapins returned with a goal of their own with less than a minute left.

In the ninth minute of the fourth quarter, Khan completed a hat trick, making it 13-8. The Terrapins scored two unanswered goals within the eighth minute to help drive the score to 13-10.

In a final push, Maryland netted two late goals to make a push for the win making the score 13-12. With three seconds left and a chance to tie up the game, Marylands’ Bubba Fairman turned over the ball finalizing the ‘Cats win over the No. 4 Terrapins.

The ‘Cats will face Hofstra on Saturday, Feb. 22 for the team’s first away game at James M. Shuart Stadium. Face-off is set for 2 p.m.