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Maryland Lacrosse: Matt Rambo has career day against Bryant

By Chris Bengel

May 17, 2015; Annapolis, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins attack Matt Rambo (1) scores a goal against North Carolina Tar Heels goalie Kieran Burke (26) during the first half at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2015; Annapolis, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins attack Matt Rambo (1) scores a goal against North Carolina Tar Heels goalie Kieran Burke (26) during the first half at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Matt Rambo was recently named a finalist for the Tewaaraton Award.

In Sunday’s 13-10 NCAA Tournament win over Bryant, he showed the nation why.

Rambo recorded a career-high eight points (two goals & six assists) against the Bulldogs. In addition, midfielder Tim Rotanz added a career-high five goals for the Terrapins.

It’s no surprise that Rambo played well when the lights were the brightest.

In 12 career NCAA Tournament games, Rambo has tallied 25 goals and 25 assists. The Glenside, Pa. native is also averaging 2.0 goals-per-game and 2.0 assists-per-game.

Bryant was able to hang around in the first half and Rambo only had an assist during the first 30 minutes. However, Rambo exploded for seven points in the second half as Maryland went on a 7-1 run and jumped out to a 13-5 lead.

With 7:15 left in the third quarter, Rambo found himself matched up with Bryant long-stick midfielder Cody O’Donnell. O’Donnell was playing up on Rambo and being very physical.

However, Rambo played through the contact and ripped a shot past goalie James Warner to give the Terps a 7-4 advantage.

Rambo scored or assisted on all five of Maryland’s goals in the third quarter. He scored two goals and recorded three assists during the scorching-hot stretch.

…but then Matt Rambo finds Matt Neufeldtand @TerpsMLax is up by 6 with one period to play. #NCAALax pic.twitter.com/6RMuPeLC1F

— NCAA Lacrosse (@NCAA_Lax) May 14, 2017

He also added another assist in the fourth quarter that extended the Maryland lead to 13-5. The Bulldogs did score the final five goals of the game, but it wasn’t enough to defeat the Terps.

This is the fourth time in the past two years that Rambo has recorded at least six points. He achieved the feat three times (against Brown, North Carolina, & Syracuse) in the 2016 NCAA Tournament and once during the 2015 NCAA Tournament (against Johns Hopkins).

Rambo played like a man possessed and was a one-man wrecking crew on Sunday. His six assists were the most by a Maryland player since Dan LaMonica did it against Navy in 2003.

John Kaestner also achieved the feat in 1972 against Rutgers in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament. Rambo was only the second player to ever record six assists in an NCAA Tournament game.

Rambo’s efforts helped Maryland reach the quarterfinals where they will face number-eight seed Albany. The Terps edged the Great Danes 12-11 back on April 12.

Next: Maryland Lacrosse: Terps look to end national title drought

Rambo is going to need to keep playing at an extremely level if Maryland wants to beat Albany. It’ll feature Rambo taking on fellow Teawaaraton Award finalist Connor Fields.