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Rutgers hadn't lost a game this season when it had a lead after two periods. That streak ended on Saturday afternoon at Byrd Stadium as Maryland (9-2, 3-0) reeled off seven straight goals en route to a 11-8 win over the Knights. It was the Terps eighth straight win.
Despite four goals by Jules Heningburg (31 on season), RU (9-3, 2-1) could not hold onto he 6-3 lead it had built three minutes into the third quarter. It was then that UMd went on its run, taking the lead for the first time with 4:47 left in the third quarter. It was a lead they would not relinquish.
Rutgers did score twice more but it was too little, too late.
"I thought we had a great trip down here," head coach Brian Brecht said. "To start off with the success we had, a 4-3 lead at halftime, and then come out of halftime with two quick ones to go up 6-3, that was a great effort by our guys. They fought back and it was a one-goal game in the fourth quarter. Maryland's a top-five team and give them credit for making plays in a tight game in the fourth quarter."
This was the first game this season that Rutgers lost after holding a halftime lead. The loss snaps Rutgers' four-game winning streak.
VIDEO: All the RU Goals from #RUMLax at No 4 Maryland https://t.co/RrsWYCb3VY
— Rutgers Men's LAX (@RUmlax) April 16, 2016
This sets up a critical home Big Ten matchup this Friday night against No. 18 Penn State. The Lions lost a 12-11 home contest to Hopkins over the weekend, its second straight one-point loss.
Game-Winner! John Crawley's OT Goal for #17 @HopkinsSports nets a JHU 12-11 win vs #14 @PennStateMLAX! #BTNStandout https://t.co/gsVGxBBett
— Lacrosse on BTN (@LaxOnBTN) April 18, 2016
Now at No. 19, RU has Penn State and a road contest against OSU remaining. Hopkins still has Maryland left on the schedule, while the Lions have last place Michigan after their game against Rutgers. With a win, Rutgers can pretty much guarantee at least a second place finish.
Results and remaining schedule
4/16/16 | at Maryland * | College Park, Md. | L, 11-8 |
4/22/16 | vs. Penn State * ![]() |
Piscataway, N.J. | 8:00 p.m. ET |
4/30/16 | at Ohio State * ![]() |
Columbus, Ohio | 7:00 p.m. ET |
Rutgers is still the highest scoring team in the Big Ten (12.7 ppg) and is just behind Maryland in defense (8.8 ppg to 8).
Big Ten Standings | Conf. | Pct. | Overall | Pct. |
Maryland | 3-0 | 1.000 | 9-2 | .818 |
RUTGERS | 2-1 | .667 | 9-3 | .750 |
Johns Hopkins | 2-1 | .667 | 7-4 | .636 |
Penn State | 1-2 | .333 | 7-5 | .583 |
Ohio State | 1-2 | .333 | 6-7 | .462 |
Michigan | 0-3 | .000 | 3-8 | .273 |
Women's Lacrosse
Unlike the men's team, the women are trending downward. On a four-game losing streak, the women are 3-11 for the season and 0-3 in the Big Ten. The women went 2-16 last year, winning one Big Ten contest - the last of the season - against Michigan.
RU lost its last Big Ten game over the weekend, dropping a 20-9 game to No. 12 Northwestern. Despite the loss, there was one highlight.
Career point No. 100 for senior Kim Kolodny! She assists classmate Halley Barnes. Congrats, Kim! #RUWLAX pic.twitter.com/QRbe4eoGXX
— Rutgers Women's Lax (@rulaxbrand) April 17, 2016
4/17/16 | at No. 12 Northwestern * | Evanston, Ill. | L, 20-9 |
4/21/16 | vs. Ohio State * ![]() |
High Point Solutions Stadium | 7:00 p.m. ET |
4/30/16 | vs. Michigan * | High Point Solutions Stadium | 12:00 p.m. ET |