Maryland 8, Michigan 6

Sometimes, good teams lose to other good teams. On a cold afternoon at U-M Lacrosse Stadium, the #2 Michigan Wolverines fell to the #1 Maryland Terrapins. Michigan was undefeated, Maryland had just lost its second game of the season. In a battle between two stifling defenses, Maryland had the little extra spark they needed to seal the victory.

The first quarter proceeded more or less as expected. Maryland broke through early, scoring on their very first possession. The Terps largely controlled the ball until they scored their second about halfway through the first, when Michigan started to get shots off.

I had thought a 2-0 quarter was relatively successful, the game was being played more or less at Michigan's speed, but then Jill Smith got the Wolverines on the board unassisted with just over two minutes to play. By the time the clock hit zeroes, it was tied. Julia Schwabe, her eighth of the season.

Michigan did all of the scoring in the second. The Wolverines opened a player up and Schwabe earned an early free position shot which she slotted home for her second straight multi-goal game. Kaylee Dyer scored a solo goal from a tough angle, and it was 4-2. Michigan's man-to-man stymied Maryland, and with a couple of big saves from Maya Santa-Maria in her second start of the season, that was the halftime score.

Jill Smith controlled the second half draw and scored quickly to extend the Wolverines to three. Just 20 seconds later, a defensive lapse off the Maryland draw control made the score 5-3, and that is when Maryland began to assert themselves in this game. Maryland won the third quarter by the same score Michigan had won the first half, a 4-2 lead becoming a 6-6 tie with a quarter to play.

In the 4th, Michigan simply could not break through. Where the first half was marked by decisive play, Michigan seemed much more tentative. They were more careful in their shot selection, so much so that Maryland was able to force two huge shot clock violations in key spots. Maryland took a 7-6 lead early in the fourth, and doubled it with under five minutes to play.

Michigan had a smattering of good opportunities late, but could not put any in the back of the cage. Maryland was able to run out the clock and seal the victory. Michigan's run to #1 would have to be put on hold.

Here's the bad news: Michigan is too good for moral victories. Michigan was on the doorstep of number one, and is not content just to be there. Michigan can play elite lacrosse for the rest of the season and may not repeat the luck that led them to this opportunity to top the poll.

The good news is they don't give out rings for being ranked #1 in the middle of the regular season. While the loss today may make Big Ten regular season hardware an uphill battle, Maryland still has to play Northwestern, Michigan and Northwestern have to play each other. With so few games the margin for error is low, but the path is still there. The Big Ten Tournament also looms.

Michigan should still cling to the top 5 on Monday. They are one of two top 10 teams with just one loss, with a quality schedule. It would still be surprising if they did not play some lacrosse at home in the NCAA Tournament, and they're still fighting to host the maximum.

But it's okay for this one to hurt. Michigan had an opportunity to make a statement that they were here to stay, and sometimes it doesn't go your way. All they can do is look forward.

On Wednesday they play what should be an overmatched Eastern Michigan at a neutral site in Detroit, before two crucial road contests against Penn State and Johns Hopkins. On April 21st they close the Big Ten season, hosting Northwestern. The stakes could include a Big Ten regular season title.

Especially considering the weather, the fan presence was impressive. In the rain the stadium filled from the top down, and while it wasn't a sell-out, the crowd was notable. Hopefully with some better weather in April, a packed crowd can greet the Wolverines when they take on the Wildcats.