Schutz’s Six Points Fuels No. 4 Virginia’s 14-10 Road Win Over No. 5 Maryland

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Griffin Schutz (4g, 2a) tied his career high of six points to lead No. 4 Virginia (6-1) in its 14-10 victory over No. 5 Maryland (5-2) at SECU Stadium Saturday afternoon (March 16). The win marked UVA’s first in the series since defeating the Terrapins in the 2021 NCAA championship game.

The Cavaliers (8 turnovers) played a much cleaner game than UMD (16 turnovers) and buried both of their man-up chances. The Terps held the edge at the faceoff X, 16-12, but were outmaneuvered by UVA on the ground, 29-22.

In addition to Schutz, McCabe Millon also stood out offensively for the Hoos after recording his fifth hat trick in just his seventh collegiate game. Virginia goalie Matthew Nunes (6-1) earned the win in net. With his 30^th career victory, Nunes is now tied for fifth all-time in school history in wins with 30.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Maryland scored the game’s first goal two minutes in before the Terrapins were flagged for a push while UVA had possession. On the man-up opportunity, Schutz found Ryan Colsey (1g) for the score. Not even two minutes later, the Terps regained the lead, but then the Cavaliers went on to fire off four straight goals, a run that trickled into the second period. Virginia led 4-2 at the end of the first as Schutz totaled two goals and an assist in the first 15 minutes.

The UVA scoring run was capped after scores from Connor Shellenberger (2g, 1a) and Schutz. Virginia LSM Ben Wayer (1a, 5gb) found Shellenberger, who ripped the net on a step down shot. Schutz tallied his third score of the day midway through the second to give the Hoos a 6-2 lead and momentum. However, Virginia’s four-goal lead was quickly trimmed to one [6-5] after three consecutive Maryland scores scattered over four minutes. With under three minutes remaining in the half, Payton Cormier (1g) intercepted an errant Terrapin pass on the clear and found Millon on crease, who notched his first goal of the day as Virginia led 7-5 at the break.

Schutz scored his fourth goal of the day less than one minute into the second half. Virginia won the faceoff margin in period No. 3, 5-2, and collected eight ground balls while the Terps only managed three. Back-to-back scores from Millon and Shellenberger gave the Hoos an 11-7 lead heading into the fourth.

Short-stick defensive midfielder Chase Yager (1g, 4gb, 2ct) scored UVA’s third straight goal to kick off the fourth after collecting a rebound on the crease despite being surrounded by four Terrapins. Three straight scores by Maryland trimmed the UVA lead to two [12-10] with 11:04 remaining. However, the Hoos blanked the Terps the rest of the way and Millon and Cormier tacked on two insurance goals to help seal Virginia’s fourth win over a ranked opponent this season.

FROM HEAD COACH LARS TIFFANY…
“What a fantastic atmosphere to compete in. Does it feel like playoff lacrosse? Or maybe that’s because Maryland and Virginia play often in the NCAA Tournament – three of the last four years. But just an intense crowd, two great teams getting after it, and we were fortunate to come out ahead this time. And to have a couple [failed clears] in that first quarter was discombobulating, but Matt [Nunes] kept the Terrapins to two goals in that first quarter when they could have gotten [more]. Our team defense made a one-game statement, so it’s not a season statement. We made a one-game statement.”

WITH THE WIN…

• The Cavaliers earned their first win in College Park since March 31, 2012, when UVA won 12-8.
• Virginia improved to 47-50 in the all-time series, which began in 1926, and snapped a three-game losing skid in the series.
• The Hoos earned their fourth win over a ranked opponent this season and first over a top-5 foe.
• Goalie Matthew Nunes (30-9) is now tied for fifth in UVA history in career wins.
• Lars Tiffany improved to 6-4 all-time in head-to-head matchups against Maryland head coach John Tillman.
• Tiffany also improved to 199-100 for his head coaching career, including an 86-31 record at Virginia.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

• Griffin Schutz (4g, 2a) tied his career high of six points. Schutz’s first six-point performance was at Johns Hopkins last season.
• With two goals and one assist, Connor Shellenberger (276 points) is now two points away from shattering UVA’s all-time points record, which was set by Matt Moore in 2022.
• Shellenberger became UVA’s career assists leader in last week’s 19-15 win at Towson.
• First-year attackman McCabe Millon now has five hat tricks in seven career appearances.
• LSM Ben Wayer tallied a team-high five ground balls. Wayer is averaging 4.14 ground balls per game this season.

UP NEXT
The Cavaliers return will have two days off from competition before hosting UAlbany (2-4) on Tuesday (March 19).  Opening faceoff from Klöckner Stadium is set for 4 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.