Feb. 16, 2002

Final Stats

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The No. 6 Maryland men's lacrosse team finished its preseason schedule with a 9-6 loss to No. 2 Syracuse on a beautiful Saturday afternoon at Byrd Stadium. The Terps led 5-1 at halftime and 6-5 after three quarters playing with its starters before giving way to younger players in the fourth quarter as part of the scrimmage.

Goalie Danny McCormick was solid in goal again, making 20 saves in three quarters of action.

"I thought we played better in the first half," said coach Dave Cottle. "We controlled the ball and I was very happy with our first half on the offensive and defensive sides. Our goalkeeper, Danny McCormick, was again terrific through three quarters."

The defensive-minded Terps shutdown the high-powered offense of Syracuse through the first half as McCormick came up huge while Maryland converted its chances.

The Terps built a 4-0 first-quarter advantage on a pair of goals from Mike Morsell and tallies from Mike LaMonica and Matt Urlock.

The lead went to 5-0 as LaMonica scored his second goal -- the Terps' third man-up goal of the half -- off a pass from Mike Mollot midway through the second quarter. Syracuse finally dented the scoreboard as Mike Smith scored with just 45 seconds left before intermission.

McCormick made 12 saves through the first half as the Terps held the Orange to just 17 shots in 30 minutes.

Syracuse came out strong after halftime and scored 2:44 into the half as Michael Springer beat McComrick. But LaMonica scored his third of the day on a sweet fast-break passing play from his brother Dan LaMonica to return the lead to a four-goal margin at 6-2 with 11:55 left in the third.

The Orange proceeded to score the next seven goals including four in the fourth quarter when Cottle removed his starters. Brian Nee scored three goals in the second half while Springer added his second and Josh Coffman and Alex Zink also scored for the 9-6 final.

The Terps begin the 2002 regular season against Hobart next Saturday, Feb. 23 at 1 p.m. The game will be played at the Artificial Turf Facility. Syracuse opens with Army also on Feb. 23