May 8, 1999

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The No. 9 Maryland mens lacrosse team made a valiant comeback in the second half after trailing 7-2 at halftime, but lost to No. 11 UMBC, 7-6, this afternoon at Byrd Stadium before 2,473.

The Terps scored three goals in a 1:29 span early in the fourth quarter to cut UMBCs lead to 7-6, but were unable to complete the rally as UMBC goalie Andrew Hampson (Baltimore, Md./ Boys Latin) made seven of his 18 saves to secure the win for the Retrievers. With the win, UMBC (11-3), most likely secures a bid to the NCAA Tournament, while the Terrapins (9-5) will await their fate on Sunday as the NCAA Tournament committee will reveal the field of 12 mens lacrosse teams at 3:30 p.m.

UMBC jumped out to a 4-0 lead after the first quarter as Josh Hahn (Ellicott City, Md./Loyola) scored with just one second left in the first period. Maryland cut the lead to 5-2 on goals by Marcus LaChapelle (Severna Park, Md./St. Marys) and Nate Watkins (Elmira, N.Y./Horseheads). Then UMBCs Casey Hard (Bridgeport, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse) scored his second and third goals of the game prior to halftime to give his team the 7-2 lead.

Maryland got second-half goals by Mike LaMonica (Lutherville, Md./Calvert Hall), Chris Malone (Timonium, Md./Loyola), LaChapelle and Chris Lamy (Linthicum, Md./North County).

Maryland goalie Kevin Healy (Manhasset, N.Y./Manhasset) made eight saves.

The Terps outshot UMBC, 55-24, including 16-1 in the fourth quarter and picked up 41 of the games 72 groundballs. The game saw only one on-field penalty called as Marylands Geoff Burnham (Vestal, N.Y./Vestal) was whistled for slashing with 1:38 left in regulation. Maryland won 11 of 16 face-offs behind Brian Haggerty (Lido Beach, N.Y./Long Beach), who won 10 draws.

The Terps await their possible ninth consecutive and 24th overall NCAA Tournament bid Sunday afternoon at 3:30 p.m.

GAME SCORING
#11 UMBC (11-3)  4 3 0 0 -- 7
#9 MARLAND (9-5) 0 2 1 3 -- 6