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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