COLLEGE PARK, Md. The No. 18 University of Denver men’s lacrosse team fell 10-7 to No. 7 and seventh-seeded Maryland in the first round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament Saturday afternoon.

 

Maryland (10-5) was led by Grant Catalino, who tallied three goals and two assists in the Terrapin victory.

 

Junior Joey Murray (Denver, Colo.) and sophomore Charley Dickenson (Dallas, Texas) each finished with three points on a goal and two assists for the Pioneers, while sophomore Ilija Gajic (Burnaby, B.C.) tallied two goals.

 

"I'm proud of the way our guys played today," head coach Jamie Munro said. "I know there are some plays that we wish we could have back, but I'm proud of their effort. We're pleased with the direction our program is heading."

 

Denver (10-7) led the Terps 3-2 after one period. The Pioneers received early goals from sophomore John Dickenson (Dallas, Texas) and Murray in the first five minutes to take a 2-0 lead.

 

Maryland came within one before senior Brett Koll (Fort Collins, Colo.) extended DU’s lead back to two with 6:18 remaining in the period. The Terps struck again before the period ended.

 

Freshman Jamie Lincoln (St. Cathariens, Ontario) and Gajic each scored early in the second half to put DU up 5-2. The Terps responded with three man-up goals to tie the score at 5-5 heading into the intermission.

 

Maryland broke out of the 5-5 tie and took its first lead of the game with 6:14 remaining in the third period. The Terps used goals by Dan Groot and Ryan Young to go ahead 7-5 heading into the fourth quarter.

 

Just 1:48 into the fourth, Joe Cinosky moved Maryland’s lead to three with his first goal of the season and the sixth straight by the Terps. Denver fell behind by four 9-5 when Catalino netted his second goal of the game for Maryland just 2:31 later.

 

Charley Dickenson cut the Terps’ lead to three when he scored on a pass from Murray with 7:32 to play, and Gajic netted his second of the game to move Denver within two with 4:22 remaining. However, Catalino sealed the Maryland victory when he completed his hat trick in the game's final minute.

 

Junior goalie Austin Konkel (Aurora, Colo.) made 13 saves for the Pioneers, and Maryland’s Brian Phipps and Jason Carter combined for nine.

 

With the win, Maryland advances to the NCAA quarterfinals where it will face the winner of the game between UMBC (12-3) and No. 2-seeded Virginia (12-3), which is scheduled for Sunday, May 11 at 5 p.m.