Maryland closes with bevy of goals

The Maryland lacrosse team left its regular-season finale encouraged by its most prolific offensive outburst in seven weeks.

The No. 8 Terrapins could feel even better about where they were entering the postseason after avoiding the sort of costly upsets that derailed Georgetown and Princeton yesterday.

“After seeing those scores,” coach Dave Cottle acknowledged.

A 16-10 victory over Yale at Byrd Stadium behind Grant Catalino’s four goals and three assists wasn’t the worst way to head into the NCAA tournament, especially for an offense that reached double figures in goals for the first time since March.

Maryland (9-5) is likely to be seeded and earn a first-round home game for the sixth straight year when the 16-team field is announced tonight.

The Terps would no doubt welcome a repeat of the output against the Bulldogs (4-10), who could do little to prevent an early onslaught of goals.

Maryland effectively peppered Yale with mid-range shots, with Drew Evans and Tony Mendes scoring to make it 5-2 after a quarter. Junior Jeff Reynolds drilled a pair of shots between a goal by Travis Reed near the crease to temporarily chase Bulldogs goalie George Carafides (seven saves).

The Terps ultimately built a 10-2 lead, and their 11 goals at the break were their most in a half since March 21, 2006, against Dartmouth, a span of 41 games. It also came after scoring only 25 goals in the last four games.

“In the past few games, our offense hasn’t been moving the ball very well,” Catalino said. “In the first quarter, we were passing the ball around pretty fast and there was no problems getting shots.”

It was another encouraging outing for Catalino, the hulking 6-foot-5, 240-pounder who leads the Terps in goals (25) and points (36) as a freshman.

It was Catalino’s first four-goal outing since the season opener and moved the Terps closer to regaining the form that carried them to early victories over Georgetown, North Carolina and Virginia.

Those outcomes raised Maryland’s profile, though a sluggish April brought it back down. Yet heading into the postseason, the Terps have the potential to be a dangerous commodity if the bracket breaks in their favor.

“I think most teams are underestimating us as they were at the beginning of the season,” Catalino said. “I think it’s better play as an underdog than be the No. 1 team.”

Maryland certainly won’t be the favorite in the tournament, where Duke, Virginia and Syracuse figure to merit much of the attention after strong regular seasons.

But the Terps are still moving on, having averted disaster on a day so many other teams couldn’t.

“I’m glad it’s over with,” Cottle said, “And now we get ready to play the season that really matters.”