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Maryland Lacrosse: Connor Kelly lifts Maryland in triple overtime

By Chris Bengel

May 30, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Maryland Terrapins midfielder Connor Kelly (40) drives against North Carolina Tar Heels midfielder Brett Bedard (3) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Maryland Terrapins midfielder Connor Kelly (40) drives against North Carolina Tar Heels midfielder Brett Bedard (3) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Connor Kelly has been on an absolute tear over the past few weeks.

On Easter Sunday, the junior midfielder scored the game-winning goal in triple overtime to lift Maryland to a 13-12 victory over Rutgers. Kelly also recorded a hat trick in the Big Ten clash.

Jeff George had tied the game at 12 with 39 seconds remaining in regulation. The Scarlet Knights had erased a two-goal deficit

It was a back-and-forth battle during the three overtime periods. The Terrapins failed to cash in on their first four shot attempts, but were aided by four saves on the other end courtesy of goalie Dan Morris.

Morris ended up 16 saves, including several with the game hanging in the balance.

It was truly a gutsy effort from Maryland, who trailed in the first half.

With 11:59 remaining in the opening half, Connor Murphy scored to give Rutgers a 6-4 lead and they looked to be in control.

However. it appeared that was the wake-up call that the Terps needed. Maryland responded with a five-goal run to make it a 9-6 contest.

Jared Bernhardt and Kelly each had a goal during that stretch. Star attackman Matt Rambo was the catalyst on the impressive offensive flurry.

Rambo scored a pair of goals, including the game-tying tally with 34 seconds remaining in the first half. Just 11 seconds later, Austin Henningsen won a face-off and found Kelly for the go-ahead goal to give the Terps a 7-6 advantage.

In addition, Rambo also found himself in a matchup against a short-stick defender and could’ve taken the ball right to the cage. Instead, the senior found roommate Colin Heacock, who had plenty of room to let his shot rip and didn’t miss.

Heacock’s tally was the ninth goal that capped off the run.

Rutgers did manage to answer once again as the Scarlet Knights came back to tie the game at 10. Murphy ended up tying the game with 14:01 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Over a two-minute stretch early in the final quarter, Tim Rotanz and Louis Dubick recorded goals to give the Terps a 12-10 advantage. Dubick scored his goal right in front of the cage courtesy of a terrific setup from Rambo.

Next: Injuries plagued Michal Cekovsky all season

The win was Maryland’s third victory in the last eight days. The Terps close out the regular season with a trip to Columbus on Saturday to face Ohio State and a home game against Johns Hopkins on April 29.