Virginia Dominates Maryland 14-4 to Advance to Finals
Cavaliers face Johns Hopkins for title on Monday.
Tillman Johnson tied his career high with 18 saves in Saturday's win over Maryland in the national semifinals.

Tillman Johnson tied his career high with 18 saves in Saturday's win over Maryland in the national semifinals.

May 24, 2003

Baltimore, Md. -

By DAVID GINSBURG
AP Sports Writer

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Virginia routed Maryland 14-4 in Saturday's second semifinal of the NCAA Division I lacrosse tournament and advanced to a title showdown Monday with Johns Hopkins, a 19-8 winner over defending champion Syracuse.

Playing in front of a record crowd of 37,823 and a national television audience on ESPN2, Virginia goalie Tillman Johnson recorded a career-high 18 saves and a stifling Cavalier defense set a tournament record by allowing only four goals in a semifinal game. The record was five.

Freshman Matt Ward scored four goals for the Cavaliers (14-2).

Virginia's two losses this season came against Maryland and Hopkins, in succession in late March by 8-7 scores. The Cavaliers have since won nine straight.

Virginia established control early and increased their margin against Maryland (12-4).

After Ward scored twice to help Virginia take a 5-2 halftime lead, he added two goals during a third period in which the Cavaliers outscored the Terrapins 6-1 to go up 11-3.