No. 11 Men’s Lacrosse Falls to No. 2 Maryland in Big Ten Tournament Semifinals

Thursday, May 3

Ann Arbor, Mich.

4 PM

Rutgers University

9-6

University of Maryland

12-2

Rutgers

Maryland

Photo by: Darryl Marshke

No. 11 Men’s Lacrosse Falls to No. 2 Maryland in Big Ten Tournament Semifinals

May 03 | Men's Lacrosse

Box Score Big Ten Semifinals Box Score Photo Gallery

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – No. 11 Rutgers men's lacrosse (9-6) was downed in the Big Ten Tournament Semifinals by No. 2 Maryland (12-2), falling 12-9 on Thursday evening. Connor Vercruysse led Rutgers with three goals. Jules Heningburg had three points with a goal and two assists. Casey Rose, Christian Mazzone, Austin Divitcos and Brian Eletti also tallied in the game.

The game was even at 3-3 after one quarter of action, with the teams trading off the scoring. Eletti scored his first career goal with 2 minutes in the first quarter for the 3-2 lead, and the Terps had the last tally of the quarter.

Maryland scored first in the second quarter, but Rutgers answered with two straight goals. Mazzone scored on an extra-man opportunity, then Vercruysse fired in a goal for a 5-4 lead. However, the Terrapins scored the final three goals of the frame to take a 7-5 lead at halftime.

To start the second half, captain Austin Divitcos scored his second goal of the season to cut it to 7-6. Maryland scored the next two goals, but Rutgers answered back with a transition goal. After a defensive stop and ground ball by Mark Christiano, he fed Coyne, who beat a defender and fired in a goal.

Maryland extended their lead to 10-7 with the first goal of the fourth quarter. Vercruysse answered with a goal, but the Terps again countered. Then RU capitalized off a loose ball push, with Christian Scarpello taking the ball and feeding Vercruysse, who fired in his third goal of the day. However, Maryland finished off the 12-9 victory.

"Some things didn't go our way," senior captain Austin Divitcos said. "Maryland's a good team and things didn't fall for us today."

Postgame Notes

Brian Eletti scored the first goal of his career.
Austin Divitcos had his second goal of the season and third of his career.
Jules Heningburg moved into 8^th place all-time at Rutgers in assists with 90, passing Paul Popson and Ed Trabulsy.
Heningburg has 72 points on the season, the fourth most in a single season by a Rutgers player. Its most for an RU player since Keith Cromwell had 73 in 2000.
Edelmann recorded double-digit saves for the ninth time this season.
Vercruysse had his second hat trick of the season.
Joe Francisco was 10-of-24 on faceoffs.
Christian Mazzone tied his career-high with six ground balls.
Freshman Ryan Gallagher had two assists, tying his career-high.
Alex Bronzo was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team

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