ALBANY, NY -- No. 5 Maryland improved to 4-2 on the season with a 16-9 win over Albany on a snowy Saturday afternoon.
The Terps were led offensively by a trio of hat tricks from Daniel Maltz (4G), Braden Erksa (4G), and Jack Koras. Erksa and Koras' hat tricks were the first of their careers, while Maltz hit his 13th. Seven different Terps recorded at least two points (Maltz, Erksa, Koras, Kyle Long, Jack Brennan, Daniel Kelly, and Zach Whittier).
On defense, the Terps forced 11 total turnovers. Luke Wierman scooped up nine groundballs, while Erksa added five. Wierman won 13 faceoffs.
In goal, freshman Brian Ruppel made 12 saves.
Albany (1-4) was led by Jack Pucci, who had three goals.
The Terps will head to Charlottesville, Virginia next week for a matchup against No. 1 Virginia. The game is scheduled to start at 2 pm and will air on ACC Network.
From Coach Tillman
"Happy for the guys. It's been a long week, especially with how things finished up last week. But much like the last time things didn't go well, I was proud of the way the guys approached the week. As always, it's hard to go on the road and get a win. It's never easy here. I think every time we've been here it's been a battle. We tried to emphasize that to the guys and when it was 7-5 halftime, it was like this is what it's been like every time we've come here. We don't expect anything different. We have a lot of respect for this program, for (head coach Scott Marr), and for how hard he's worked to build one of the best programs out there...Just really happy for the guys."
Breaking Down The Action
- The two teams traded goals twice in the first quarter, with the Terps going on top, 3-2, late in the frame, thanks to Maltz's second score of the game.
- Maryland came out hot offensively in the second, scoring three goals in the first 5:30 of the frame to go up 6-2. Albany cut it to a 6-4 game with 6:18 remaining in the half. Each team scored again to make it 7-5 at the half.
- The Terps pulled away with a big third quarter, outsourcing Albany 5-2 in the frame. After Albany pulled back within two goals, the Terps scored the final three points in the quarter. Erksa's and Koras' hat tricks came in the third as the Terps led 12-7 after three.
- The Terps outscored Albany 4-2 in the fourth quarter as Erksa, Dante Trader Jr., Owen Murphy and Long scored goals for the 16-9 final.
Hat Trick Terps
- Maryland has had a hat trick in 63 straight games dating back to February 2, 2019.
- Maltz notched his 13th career hat trick and the second of the season.
- Erksa and Koras both recorded their first career hat tricks.
Multi-Terps Update
- With four goals, Maltz had multiple points for the 30th time in his career.
- Freshman Braden Erksa notched two goals in the first half, the second time in his young career that he's scored twice in a game. It's his third time in six games recording multiple points.
- Jack Brennan had three assists, marking his second consecutive game with multiple points recorded. He has reached that feat 13 times in his career.
- Koras' four-point performance was his ninth career multi-point game.
- Daniel Kelly notched one goal and two assists for his sixth career game with two or more points.
- Zach Whittier had his first-ever multi-point performance with a goal and two assists for three points.
- With a goal and two assists, Long had his 40th career multiple-point game of his career and 23rd career multi-assist game.
Record Book Update
- Luke Wierman continues to stand fifth in career groundballs with 259. Next on the list at No. 4 is Jack Francis, with 263 from 1980-83.
- Wierman is also sixth in career face-off wins with 483. Next on the list at No. 5 is Charlie Raffa, with 498 from 2012-15.
- Kyle Long moved to 29th in career points with a goal and two assists in the game to give him 132. Next on the list at No. 28 is Dave Dempsey (134 points from 1970-74).
- Long is now 17th in career assists with 82, passing Frank Urso (1973-76) and Jim Wilkerson (1980-83). John Lamon and his 83 assists (1976-79) are next.
Numbers To Know
- 9: In holding Albany to 9 goals, the Terps are now 119-11 when holding opponents to single-digits under John Tillman since 2011.
- 10: The Terps are now 143-16 in games they score 10 or more goals since John Tillman took over in 2011.
- 24: Long extended his point-scoring streak to 24 games dating back to the 2021 season.
- 29: Wierman won double-figure face-offs for the 29th time in his career.
Terps Lead Series
- Maryland now leads the series 7-1, having won the last four games. Last season the Terps won 24-6 in College Park.
Up Next
- The Terps head to No. 1 Virginia for a 2 pm game next Saturday, March 18. That game will air on ACC Network.
