Site: College Park, Md. (Capital One Field)
Score: #2 Maryland 21, High Point 13
Records: High Point 0-1, #2 Maryland 1-0
COLLEGE PARK, Md. — High Point University men’s lacrosse fell 21-13 to the 2021 NCAA Runner-Up #2 Maryland on the road on Saturday, (Feb. 5). Going back to last season it was HPU’s second straight game against the #2 team in the nation after playing Duke in the NCAA Tournament in May. Brayden Mayea picked up where he left off following his tremendous freshman season, against Maryland Mayea had five goals. Matching the game high as UMD’s Logan Wisnauskas had five of his own. This is the fourth time in his career that Mayea has scored five or more goals. Asher Nolting had seven points on the day as he had one goal and six assists.
HPU was looking to defeat Maryland in their home opener, something that has not been done since 1924.
Jon Torpey: Hats off to Maryland they had a great game plan and executed all day long. Looking at us I think we really dug ourselves a hole early and at this level against an elite opponent it’s tough to play catch up for 60 minutes. It seemed like every time we were going to get back in the game we did things uncharacteristic of our team and gave Maryland 2nd chance opportunities. Our program has always been eager to play the best teams in the country early in the season as it gives us tremendous answers both schematically and personnel wise. We certainly figured some things out today and I’m excited for what lies ahead. We have a great week in front of us with two incredible opponents. I’m excited to see how the staff and our guys respond. I’m honesty hoping the version that lies in front of us is better then the one in the rear view mirror. I have a feeling it will be.
Panther Particulars
HPU was able to hold UMD to only two goals with 3:33 to play in the first quarter. Nick Rizzo stopped the 4-0 Terp run as he supplied a goal with 2:09 in the first to make it 4-1. The first goal of Rizzo’s collegiate career came against the #2 Terps in just his fourth appearance ever in college lacrosse.
UMD ended the first quarter up 6-1 but the Panthers answered back with a big second quarter of their own. HPU out-scored the Terps in the second quarter 4-3.
Mayea put the Panthers back into the game with two quick goals to make it 6-3 with 13:30 to play in the second quarter.
HPU’s man-up unit is already off to a good start Nick Murphy scored a man up goal for the Panthers on a delayed penalty to bring the score to 8-4.
Graduate Student Koby Russell showed off the range and delivered a deep goal to make it a three goal game, 8-5 with 2:54 to play.
It was 9-5 at the half.
Mayea picked up a hat trick early in the third quarter as it became a 10-6 game with 12:36 to go in the game.
Mayea scored his fourth goal of the contest (15-7).
Maryland took a 16-7 lead into the fourth.
Nolting showed off his athleticism as he scored a diving goal to make it 16-8 with 14:26 to play.
With 7:05 left, Jack Vanoverbeke scored on nearly no angle and made it 18-9.
In a 30 second span in fourth quarter, HPU scored two more as Mayea got his fifth then Vines scored his first goal of the year.
With under a minute to play, Vanoverbeke and Russell scored one more each as they both moved their total to two goals each on the day.
#2 Maryland went on to win 21-13 in the first game of the year for HPU.
Up Next: HPU prepares for its home opener this Friday night at 5:00 PM as the Panthers welcome Colgate to Vert Stadium.