No. 5 Maryland’s offense goes quiet in 7-5 loss to No. 3 Johns Hopkins

In its biggest game of the season, Maryland’s offense fell flat. The No. 5 Terps scored their fewest goals this season as No. 3 Johns Hopkins defeated them, 7-5, to clinch a share of the Big Ten regular season title.

The Terps (8-4, 3-2 Big Ten) won the groundball and faceoff battles but 19 turnovers prevented them from controlling possession. Faceoff specialist Luke Wierman won 9-of-15 faceoffs and added five of Maryland’s 26 groundballs.

Logan McNaney helped keep Maryland in the game, holding the Blue Jays (10-3, 5-0)to seven goals on 11 saves. This marked the senior’s third straight game with double-digit saves while allowing single-digit goals.

The intensity of this rivalry was displayed in the first quarter. Colin Burlace took a hit to the head from Garrett Degnon, resulting in a three-minute man-up opportunity. Despite goals from Daniel Kelly and Jack Koras, Maryland faced a one-goal deficit.

Johns Hopkins appeared undisciplined early and committed four first-quarter penalties. The Terps combined for four and a half minutes of man-up opportunities. Yet, they shot just two of five.

Goalie Chayse Ierlan recorded three saves in the quarter and allowed two goals. The graduate student recorded 11 saves with five goals allowed – his seventh time allowing single-digit goals this season.

The Blue Jays regained momentum in the second quarter and compiled another three-goal run. Kelly scored Maryland’s lone goal in the second quarter. The Terps committed seven turnovers and missed eight shots during a 13-minute scoring drought.

Ryan Siracusa and George Stamos scored in the opening minutes of the half to cut the lead to one before Maryland’s offense imploded. The Terps committed nine second-half turnovers and didn’t score in the final 23 minutes.

A late third-quarter goal from Johnathan Peshko sealed the Johns Hopkins win as neither side scored in the fourth.

With the loss, Maryland remains the second seed in the Big Ten tournament. The Terps still earned a bye week in the first round and return to action on May 2nd.