Kelly atop summit after disappointment
FOXBORO — Maryland junior midfielder Connor Kelly enjoyed a moment of personal redemption in yesterday’s 9-6 victory against Ohio State in the national championship game at Gillette Stadium.
“It was an unbelievable team win top to bottom, and we owe it to our seniors leading us in all aspects of the game,” Kelly said after helping Maryland win its third men’s lacrosse title and first since 1975. “It was so impressive and it puts a mark on where we are at.”
Kelly has been on a mission since the Terrapins were stunned 14-13 in overtime by North Carolina in last year’s title game in Philadelphia.
Maryland was on a manadvantage in sudden death when Kelly’s open shot was stopped by Tar Heels goaltender Brian Balkan, his most spectacular save of the game. North Carolina went downfield and scored on its next possession to secure the upset.
“Honestly I always try to take those negatives or mistakes or failures and try to turn them into positives,” Kelly said.
“That was everybody’s goal, and I think that has made me stronger as a man, and it also made this team stronger. . . . Obviously this is what the Terps program is all about.”
Kelly used the setback as motivation to become the top midfielder in the country this season. Kelly’s 46th goal of the campaign, a school record for a midfielder, put Maryland up 3-2 with 59 seconds remaining in the first quarter yesterday. The Terps never relinquished the lead.
Kelly is the first Maryland midfielder since 1974 to score more than 40 goals in a season. He earned first team All-America honors and was named the Big Ten’s Most Valuable Player before becoming a national champion. Kelly’s drive did not go unnoticed by his teammates.
“It was an inch high,” junior attack Tim Rotanz said referring to last year’s missed shot.
“An inch lower, and it’s going 5-hole and we’re winning. He wanted to get back here. He had a chip on his shoulder the entire year, and he played unbelievable.”
Kelly went on a tournament tear after beating the Buckeyes in the Big Ten title game May 6. He scored five goals in Maryland’s 18-9 win against Albany. He came back with three, including the game-winner, in Saturday’s 9-8 semifinal win against Denver at Gillette.
“We focus on team offense more than individuals, so we play an unselfish ball and get the ball around,” Kelly said. “Whoever is doing well is who we key on.”
Kelly is from Easton, Conn., and was a high school All-American at Avon Old Farms. Kelly had programs from around the country ringing his doorbell but liked Terps coach John Tillman’s program.
“When I came down to College Park, coach Tillman blew me away,” Kelly said.