You know what they say, the 125th time’s the charm! That’s certainly the case for the epic showdown between Johns Hopkins and Maryland’s lacrosse teams. The Blue Jays finally got the upper hand in this age-old rivalry with a nail-biting 12-11 win, claiming the Rivalry Trophy, a share of the Big Ten regular season title, and a bye into the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament. The 6,600 fans in attendance were on the edge of their seats throughout the whole game!
A Rollercoaster of a Game
It was a true game of ups and downs. Starting with a 5-4 deficit at halftime, the Blue Jays turned the tables in the third quarter, outscoring the Terrapins 6-4 and snatching a 10-9 lead. The game had a staggering 10 ties and seven lead changes. Talk about a wild ride!
An Unstoppable Duo
The dynamic duo of Jacob Angelus and Russell Melendez really stole the show, scoring consecutive fourth-quarter goals to secure a 12-10 lead for the Blue Jays. Maryland tried to claw their way back with a last-minute goal, but Johns Hopkins held their ground, running out the clock to secure their hard-earned victory.
Inside the Box Score
Melendez and Angelus were true MVPs, contributing a total of 5 goals and 4 assists between them. Tyler Dunn also played a crucial role, dominating 14 of the 23 faceoffs he took. On the flip side, Maryland’s Braden Erksa and Daniel Maltz showed their prowess, scoring a combined 8 goals. Despite their efforts, the Terrapins couldn’t quite catch up to the Blue Jays.
What Lies Ahead
With this win under their belts, Johns Hopkins has earned the number two seed in the Big Ten Tournament. They’ll face either Maryland or Rutgers in the semifinals, which are set to take place at Homewood Field on May 4th and 6th. Will the Blue Jays continue their winning streak, or will the Terrapins have their revenge? Only time will tell!
