Terps’ attack swamps Mids
Rambo matches career high with six points for Maryland
Maryland men’s lacrosse coach John Tillman said in preseason that it was comforting to have three returning starters on attack. Matt Rambo, Dylan Maltz and Colin Heacock have scored a bunch of points during their careers.
That attack unit showed during Saturday’s game against Navy that it could be a force to be reckoned with this season.
Heacock, Maltz and Rambo combined for 15 points as the second-ranked Terps opened their season by beating the Midshipmen, 15-12, before an announced 3,226 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
“Obviously, I’m really proud and happy for our guys to come into a really tough place to play and win a historically tough game against what I think is a great team,” Tillman said.
Rambo matched a career high with six points on three goals and three assists to lead the way for Maryland, which has won 24 straight season openers. Heacock contributed two goals and three assists while Maltz scored a game-high four goals for the Terps, who have won eight consecutive meetings with the Midshipmen.
“All three of those guys are really experienced and play well together. Rambo and Heacock work really well together,” Navy All-America defenseman Chris Fennell said. “It seems like every time you make a mistake they capitalize on it. They’re a very fundamentally sound unit. They do a good job of capitalizing on mistakes and we made a lot today.”
Heacock, a Boys’ Latin graduate who also had a career high for points, said the starting attack is extremely close-knit.
“I think our relationship off the field helps. I live with Rambo, and Maltz lives right down the street,” Heacock said. “We’re always hanging out, and I think the chemistry we have off the field benefits us on the field.”
Rambo is a four-year starter who ranks 14th all-time at Maryland with 176 career points. Maltz has been a starter since transferring from Syracuse after his freshman season. Heacock has played in 55 career games and amassed 89 career points, moving to attack last year after playing midfield as a freshman and sophomore.
Tillman was impressed by the leadership his all-senior attack showed Saturday. Maryland was more methodical on offense in the second half, and that made a difference.
“Certainly the attack put up some big numbers for us today. I credit our older players with getting us organized on offense. They showed great, great leadership and experience,” Tillman said.
Senior Dan Morris made 12 saves in his first career start in goal for Maryland, which won despite being beaten badly on faceoffs (21-9) and losing the ground ball battle (37-31).
“I thought Danny Morris was really good today in his first start. He made some huge plays and bailed us out a few times when things broke down,” Tillman said. “It’s not surprising because Danny has worked really hard and we all have a lot of confidence in him. I think he’s going to have a really good year.”
Junior long-stick midfielder Matt Neufeldt had a strong all-around game for the Terps, getting a goal and an assist to go with six ground balls and three caused turnovers. He flashed some slick stickwork while routinely clearing the ball himself.
Sophomore close defenseman Curtis Corley made an impact in his first career start, shutting out Navy’s Jack Ray.
Sophomore attackman Ryan Wade scored four goals and dished off three assists to lead No. 11 Navy, which was playing four days after dropping its opener at Johns Hopkins. Senior midfielder Colin Flounlacker had a goal and three assists for the Midshipmen, who committed 13 turnovers and made other mental mistakes.
Brady Dove set a single-game school record by winning 21 faceoffs for Navy, which could not capitalize on the extra possessions. Goals: M—Maltz 4, Rambo 3, Heacock 2, Kelly 2, Neufeldt, Bernhardt, Henningsen, Brozowski; N—Wade 4, Hill 2, Smiley 2, Torain, Plumer, Little, Flounlacker. Assists: M—Rambo 3, Heacock 3, Neufeldt, Bernhardt, Kelly; N—Wade 3, Flounlacker 3, Torain. Saves: M—Morris 12; N—Kern 9.