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Maryland Lacrosse: Maryland falls to Ohio State in overtime

By Chris Bengel

May 30, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Maryland Terrapins attack Tim Rotanz (7) controls the ball against the defense of North Carolina Tar Heels midfielder Tate Jozokos (28) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Maryland Terrapins attack Tim Rotanz (7) controls the ball against the defense of North Carolina Tar Heels midfielder Tate Jozokos (28) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Maryland lacrosse team found themselves playing another overtime game on Saturday afternoon.

Unfortunately, the Terrapins fell short this time around as they lost to Ohio State 11-10 on the road. At one point, Maryland held a 7-2 lead that was ultimately erased in the second half.

Matt Rambo tallied five points (three goals & two assists) and Tim Rotanz added four points (three goals & an assist).

After winning the opening face-off in overtime, Ohio State quickly got to work. Attackman Eric Fannell ripped a shot that clanked off the pipe.

However, the rebound skipped right back out to midfielder Johnny Pearson. Pearson buried the game-winning goal past goalie Dan Morris.

Maryland certainly got off to a great start on Saturday afternoon.

After each team scored within a 1:39 period of the first quarter, the Terps responded by stepping up the defensive pressure, which included causing four Buckeye turnovers. Dylan Maltz, Rambo, and Rotanz each scored goals in the opening quarter to give Maryland a 4-1 advantage.

The Terps started off the second quarter by potting another pair of goals to cap a 5-0 scoring run.

With 12:14 remaining in the first half, midfielder Connor Kelly was given space to shoot and didn’t hesitate. Kelly ripped an absolutely scorching shot past Ohio State goalie Tom Carey to make it a 5-1 game.

Kelly is fresh off scoring the game-winner in triple overtime against Rutgers last Sunday.

Less than two minutes later, Rotanz was able to find the back of the cage. The tally was his third of the game and gave him his third consecutive contest with a hat trick.

Despite holding a 7-2 lead in the second quarter, Maryland certainly wasn’t out of the woods yet. Ohio State closed the first half with goals from Fannell and John Kelly in the final 2:53.

In the third quarter, Fannell picked up right where he left off.

The senior attackman scored a pair of goals in a 53-second span to cut the Maryland lead to 7-6. Fannell ended up tying a career-high with five goals on Saturday.

Ohio State got the equalizer off a turnover from Rambo. Long-stick Jeff Henrick ended up scoring in transition to tie the game with 5:01 remaining in the third quarter.

The Buckeyes closed the quarter strong as well. Tyler Pfister made his way towards the cage and beat Morris to give Ohio State an 8-7 lead.

However, early in the fourth quarter, Maryland knew where to go when they needed a big play. Rambo forced his way in front and hit a leaping shot to beat Carey and tie the game at 8.

Ohio State responded with two goals of their own in a 1:15 span to take a 10-8 lead.

Maryland ended up answered with two goals in the final 5:26 to tie the game at 10. Midfielder Jared Bernhardt received a beautiful pass from Rambo and shook off his defender to score the game-tying goal.

The Terps could’ve secured the Big Ten regular season title with a win. Instead, they are now tied with Johns Hopkins and Ohio State, who also own a 3-1 conference mark.

Next: Juan Dixon hired as Coppin State coach

Maryland hosts Johns Hopkins next Saturday under the lights in their regular season finale.