Edward Lee – Page 6 –

The Terps (13-3) have the nation's best scoring defense, led by senior goalie Niko Amato. The Philadelphia-area native has won 48 games and is part of a graduating class that's been to championship weekend three times. Maryland wins by making stops and dominating the possession stats with faceoff man Charlie Raffa. Their offense went dormant in losses to North Carolina, Johns Hopkins and Notre Dame. Mike Chanenchuk (pictured on right) is the trigger man, having scored 35 goals while drawing the long pole. The Terps' freshman class accounts for over 30 percent of their scoring.

Maryland hasn't won an NCAA championship since 1975, but coach John Tillman has them in the hunt once again. "We have to be who we are: Play fast and think ahead, trying to make adjustments based on the two prior games against Notre Dame," Tillman said. A home-field advantage could push Maryland to the top of the mountain.

What to watch on Maryland: For my money, Mike Chanenchuk has put together a Midfielder of the Year season. If Chanenchuk can't score, how will Maryland keep up?

Maryland X-factor: Raffa has been a warrior all year, battling leg injuries and wearing a large knee brace while winning possessions. He won 81 percent of the faceoffs against Notre Dame in the teams' two games this season. Raffa played with a noticeable limp in the quarterfinals. Can he make it through the weekend?

The Fighting Irish (11-5) were 6-5 and on the brink of extinction when they upset Maryland, 6-5, in an Atlantic Coast Conference tournament semifinal. The win gave Notre Dame and coach Kevin Corrigan a second wind, and the ACC champions have averaged 15 goals per game in their last four wins.

"We never quit, we adjust and adapt and do what we have to do to compete," said Corrigan. "We will play the full 60 minutes and 110 yards."

They must reload and recover emotionally and physically after an epic NCAA tournament quarterfinal overtime win over Albany. Matt Kavanagh (35 goals, 30 assists) has been clutch, providing game-winners, drawing fouls and dodging strong left-handed to pay dirt. The team is typically known for its defense but ranks No. 27 in that category this season.

Notre Dame men’s lacrosse reflects on journey from flirting with elimination to reaching Final Four

May 30, 2019 at 1:45 p.m.

Prior to a date with Maryland in a semifinal of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament on April 25, Notre Dame was on the cusp of being eliminated from postseason consideration....

At end of dream season, Towson falls to North Dakota State, 35-7, in FCS final

June 17, 2018 at 5:40 p.m.

FRISCO, Texas — Players on Towson's football team declined to pose for pictures with the national championship trophy Friday, with senior linebacker Monte Gaddis insisting there would be plenty of...

Towson's Terrance West celebrates a touchdown with Sam Evans and Eric Pike (71) in the first quarter against North Dakota State.

Towson running back Terrance West says he’s ‘not sure’ about NFL future

June 18, 2018 at 10:36 a.m.

FRISCO, Texas — Running back Terrance West said he has not made a decision about whether to return to Towson for his senior year, and will meet with coach Rob...

Notre Dame midfielder Patrick Hodan (27) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in the second half against New Mexico Lobos at PPL Park.

Notre Dame advances to NCAA soccer final

June 18, 2018 at 3:22 p.m.

CHESTER, Pa. — Sophomore midfielder Patrick Hodan has been on quite a roll during Notre Dame's NCAA men's soccer tournament run. He didn't stop Friday in the Irish's first College...

Notre Dame advances to NCAA soccer final

December 24, 2018 at 5:59 a.m.

CHESTER, Pa. — Sophomore midfielder Patrick Hodan has been on quite a roll during Notre Dame's NCAA men's soccer tournament run. He didn't stop Friday in the Irish's first College...

Maryland helped pave Johns Hopkins’ road to Big Ten

May 30, 2019 at 1:35 p.m.

The Johns Hopkins men's lacrosse team's move to the Big Ten as the conference's first affiliate member in any sport was assisted by the program's biggest rival. Maryland, which has...

Kickers Justin Tucker and David Akers enter Super Bowl from different paths

August 19, 2019 at 5:04 a.m.

Justin Tucker and David Akers may be members of a very small NFL fraternity, but they represent opposing ends of the spectrum. Tucker, the undrafted rookie kicker for the Ravens,...

Super Bowl setting a prime opportunity for Brendon Ayanbadejo’s push for gay rights

August 19, 2019 at 5:03 a.m.

Brendon Ayanbadejo doesn't need Super Bowl XLVII to assist the cause for gay rights and gay marriage. But the Ravens inside linebacker won't turn down the opportunity during the week...

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, center left, yells toward head linesman Kent Payne (79) after a Ravens touchdown was overturned following a review in the first half.

Kurt Warner said Joe Flacco has earned $100 million contract

August 19, 2019 at 5:03 a.m.

When the Ravens and Joe Flacco agreed in August to put off negotiations on a long-term contract extension, the thinking was that the organization would wait to see what the...

Three questions with Ravens DT Ma’ake Kemoeatu

August 19, 2019 at 5:01 a.m.

After missing two of the previous three seasons because of a torn right Achilles tendon in 2009 and a shoulder injury in 2011, Ma'ake Kemoeatu played in 15 games in...

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