Virginia Falls to Maryland in NCAA Semifinal

PHILADELPHIA – Sixth-seeded Virginia’s (12-6) season came to a close after the Cavaliers fell 12-6 to No. 7 seed Maryland (11-5) in the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament at Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, Pa.) Saturday afternoon (May 25).

With the win, the Terrapins advance to face No. 1 seed and reigning national-champion Notre Dame (15-1), which defeated No. 5 seed Denver (13-4), 13-6, in Saturday’s first semifinal game. The championship game is set for Monday (May 27) at 1 p.m. on ESPN.

Maryland won 10 of the first half’s 12 total faceoffs to help the Terrapins leap out to a four-goal lead by the break. The Cavaliers led for nearly four minutes of game time, but Maryland quickly flipped the score late in the first and never looked back.

Virginia’s starting attack in McCabe Millon (2g), Connor Shellenberger (1g, 1a) and Payton Cormier (1g, 1a) recorded two points each. Close defenseman Cole Kastner notched a game-high four caused turnovers. Kyle Morris made his first career start and tallied five saves in over 42 minutes of action. Matthew Nunes entered the game late in the third quarter and surrendered only one goal the rest of the way.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Maryland faceoff specialist Luke Wierman won the game’s opening faceoff towards UVA’s goal, but Morris made a save just seven seconds into his first career start. Less than a minute later, Shellenberger dodged from X and buried a backhanded low-angle shot to – fittingly – kick off the scoring. The Terrapins claimed the next four goals to lead it 4-1 at the end of the first. Wierman won yet another faceoff forward and finished a shot on the run at the 2:58 mark. The Cavaliers were 5 for 6 at the faceoff X in the opening period, but the Hoos outshot UMD, 15-11.

Virginia pulled back to within two [4-2] after Joey Terenzi scored his ninth goal of the season on a stepdown shot, which was assisted from Yager. However, the Terrapins recorded three of the last four goals to cling to a 7-3 lead at the half. Millon’s first strike of the day and 40^th of the season made it 6-3 and tied Joe Yevoli’s 2002 freshman record. For the second consecutive quarter, Wierman won five of the period’s six total attempts at the center X. Morris tallied five saves in the first half.

Maryland netted the first two goals of the second half to open up a 9-3 lead. Five minutes into the third, Cormier found Noah Chizmar, whose sixth goal of the season trimmed the Terrapins’ advantage to 9-4. UVA could not string together back-to-back scores in the first three periods as Maryland led 11-4 entering the fourth.

Cormier capped his illustrious scoring career with his 65^th goal of the season in the fourth. His 65 goals are a UVA season record. The most prolific scorer in Division I history, Cormier concluded his career with the 224 career goals.  With his second score of the afternoon late in the fourth, Millon clinched the UVA freshman goals record after finishing the season with 41 goals.

UVA’s only three-time Tewaaraton Finalist and four-time First Team All-American, Shellenberger finished his collegiate career with 323 points on 131 goals and 192 assists. His 192 assists are the most by an ACC player in league history and his 323 points are the most all-time by a Cavalier.

2024 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse All-Tournament Team (announced May 27)
Chris Kavanagh (Most Outstanding Player), Attack, Notre Dame
Pat Kavanagh, Attack, Notre Dame
Liam Entenmann, Goalie Notre Dame
Shawn Lyght, Defense, Notre Dame
Devon McLane, Midfield, Notre Dame
Ben Ramsey, Midfield, Notre Dame
Daniel Kelly, Defense, Maryland
Luke Wierman, Midfield/Faceoff, Maryland
Ajax Zappitello, Defense, Maryland
Connor Shellenberger, Attack, Virginia