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Maryland Lacrosse: Defense continues to set the tone

By Chris Bengel

May 17, 2015; Annapolis, MD, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels attack Jimmy Bitter (4) looses his helmet as he collides into Maryland Terrapins defense Mac Pons (43) and midfielder Henry West (38) during the first half at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2015; Annapolis, MD, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels attack Jimmy Bitter (4) looses his helmet as he collides into Maryland Terrapins defense Mac Pons (43) and midfielder Henry West (38) during the first half at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Maryland lacrosse team is about as talented a group as you will see throughout the NCAA Tournament.

As the action got underway on Sunday against Quinnipiac, the Terrapins relied on their defense  that has set the tone all year.

The Terps allowed just six goals (three in each half) in a 13-6 victory over the Bobcats in their First Round game this past weekend. On the season, Maryland allows just 7.76 goals-per-game, which is good for sixth in the nation.

Obviously, it doesn’t hurt that the Terps possess one of the most heralded goaltenders in college lacrosse in Kyle Bernlohr. Bernlohr surrenders 7.66 goals-per-game, which is also sixth in the country.

Defensemen Matt Dunn and Tim Muller lead the way for a Maryland defense that is almost as deep as the offense.

Muller has caused 23 turnovers on the season, which is good for the team lead. On the other hand, Dunn has picked up 10 ground balls while causing five turnovers.

Dunn is arguably the most disciplined Maryland defender as he only has committed one penalty the entire season. Ironically, it occurred during the First Round matchup against Quinnipiac last Sunday.

After starting just four games in 2015, Muller has started all 17 games and has become one of the leaders of this prolific defense. The Chaminade (NY) product is a strong communicator with his fellow defenders.

“Tim did a great job last year for us when Matt Dunn went down for a few games,” coach John Tillman said on a conference call on Tuesday. “We moved Tim up to pole, but also had him play some close defense and he did a very good job. Tim is not a guy that you’re going to notice a lot. He’s not flashy, but he just gets it done.”

After losing Casey Ikeda from last year’s national runner-up squad, Maryland needed Muller to step right in and produce.

He hasn’t missed a beat.

Virginia transfer Greg Danseglio has also helped make life miserable for opposing attack units that have had to go up against Maryland. Danseglio was a huge pickup for the Terps, which is evident by his team-leading 61 ground balls.

“We certainly saw an opportunity to bring in a quality guy on all levels,” Tillman said. “Playing against him, we knew he was a guy that had a lot of athletic ability. He’s just a really smart player. His ability to play up top for us has been huge with the loss of Matt [Neufeldt]. He’s given us depth there that we sorely needed.”

Danseglio has also forced 15 turnovers this season and has been one of the most productive defenders for the Terps.

Maryland has only allowed double-digit goals in two games this season (wins against High Point & Penn State).

Short-stick midfielder Isaiah Davis-Allen has been a fixture on this highly-touted Maryland defense.

Davis-Allen is a defender that is able to stay at home and be very physical with opposing attackmen and midfielders.

On the season, Davis-Allen has scooped up 34 ground balls (fourth on the team) and caused 10 turnovers.

Scoring is something that not many teams get from their defenders, but that’s not the case for the Terps.

Davis-Allen has tallied also three goals and an assist so far this season. Despite only having six shot attempts in 2016, he has been encouraged to shoot and doesn’t often miss when he has the chance.

Maryland has also gotten the scoring touch from Bryce Young as of late.

After scoring in the season opener against High Point, Young went 14 games without getting into the goal column. In Maryland’s Big Ten Tournament semifinal win over Penn State, Young scored his second goal of the season.

On Sunday against Quinnipiac, Maryland forced a turnover and got the ball ahead to Young. Young got out in transition, sidestepped midfielder Ryan Lawson, and sent a shot past goalie Jack Brust.

Young’s tally gave Maryland a 3-1 lead in the first quarter against the Bobcats. It was Young’s second goal in the past three contests.

While guys like Danseglio, Dunn, and Muller only have one shot apiece this season, the Terps are getting phenomenal production on the defensive end and guys like Davis-Allen and Young are able to get out in transition and score.

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This vaunted defense has helped Maryland become the powerhouse that we have seen form over the course of the 2016 season. If the Terps want to rack up three more wins and a national title, the defense will continue to be counted on.