Monday, May 30th, wasn’t just another day. It was a day that Collegiate Lacrosse players have looked forward to since they first picked up a stick. The NCAA DI Championship is the most highly anticipated day in the Lacrosse world and arguably the best stage for Lacrosse to be played on. Lincoln Financial Stadium would be filled with thousands of lax fanatics either wearing red or baby blue. The number one seed, Maryland, would go head to head with unranked North Carolina. This battle would prove to be one of the greatest NCAA National Championships of all time.
It was a back and forth battle between two teams who were ready to leave it all on the field. You could tell this was going to be an epic game by the sound of the first whistle.
UNC came out firing, going on a 4-0 run to start out the game. Seemed like this was going to be repeat of their game against Loyola, but that 4 goal lead proved to be the biggest lead of the game. Maryland fought back and fought back fast. At the end of the first half Maryland was actually up 8-7.
By the time the teams ended up back on the field to start the 2nd half, you could tell this back and forth game was begging for more than 4 quarters.
Defensively, both teams were selling out in order to keep the ball out of the net. They were laying out to block shots and sliding fast to make sure they couldn’t get their hands free. You would think fatigue would come into play, but as the game went on, the passion of the players seemed to improve their pace. That was what separated this game from most, the passion. There were so many transition plays that would either be saved or hit a pipe, which would send the ball the other way just to hit another pipe. It was heart wrenching to watch and made it impossible to predict the outcome of this one.
After the second half, UNC had scored 6 goals and Maryland had 5. This finalized the fact that we’d be heading to Overtime. The score was tied a
t 13 and now someone on the field was going to be a hero, the only question was who?
It seemed like Connor Kelly would be the hero as he fired off a shot past a diving defender who was hoping to block the shot. Unfortunately the defender didn’t block the shot, Brian Balkham who would take one-off his chest pad and keep it for a successful clear.
As the ball made it’s way around, UNC would find a wide open shot on the cr
ease that everyone thought would hit the back of the net. Kyle Bernlohr had other plans and made the most incredible diving save I’ve ever seen. However, a cross-check would put Maryland a man down and the ball back in a Tar Heels stick.
UNC stuck to their man-up system and were able to find an open Chris Cloutier. Cloutier’s 10 yard shot proved to be fatal as Lincoln Financial Field erupted from the sights of the ball hitting the twine. Maryland was devastated, and UNC was thrilled.
Maryland had an amazing run and if it wasn’t for their miraculous effort and amount of heart, this game wouldn’t have been half as legendary.
The Tar Heels would head back to North Carolina with not one, but two, National Lacrosse Championships. Congrats to the Men’s and Women’s programs for winning it all!
Truly amazing collegiate season from every team. Can’t wait to see what next year has in store for us! 
