Maryland looking to rebound from back-to-back title-game losses

No one would equate Maryland with the Buffalo Bills, who own the dubious distinction of having lost in four consecutive Super Bowls. But the heartache was visible on the faces of senior attackman Joe Cummings and senior midfielder Drew Snider after the Terps fell, 9-3, to No. 1 seed Loyola in Monday’s NCAA tournament final at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.

Ending bittersweet for Loyola's Charley Toomey, Maryland's John Tillman

Both Charley Toomey and John Tillman knew that one would be ecstatic and the other would be disappointed over the outcome of Monday’s NCAA tournament final between No. 1 seed Loyola and Maryland at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.

Postscript from Maryland vs. Loyola

In hindsight, it seems perfectly appropriate that four of the five Loyola players named to the 2012 All-Tournament team start on defense.

Maryland's Jesse Bernhardt diagnosed with concussion

Junior long-stick midfielder Jesse Bernhardt was conscious and walking around the field level of Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., after briefly losing consciousness in the fourth quarter of Maryland’s 9-3 loss to Loyola in Monday’s NCAA tournament final.

Postscript from SUNY-Cortland vs. Salisbury

Salisbury’s run to Sunday’s 14-10 victory over SUNY-Cortland in the NCAA tournament final at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., and the program’s 10th national championship was fueled by senior midfielder Sam Bradman’s six-goal, one-assist display and senior attackman Matt Cannone’s two-goal, three-assist effort.

Maryland vs. Loyola: Three things to watch

Maryland has dominated its in-state rival, winning 19 of 20 contests since 1940. The Terps and Loyola last met on May 23, 1998 when Maryland, a No. 5 seed at the time, upset the No. 1 seed Greyhounds, 19-8, in an NCAA tournament semifinal. The Terps (12-5) are seeking their third national championship, but their first since 1975. They’ve lost in six consecutive finals appearances, including last year when they dropped a 9-7 decision to Virginia. Loyola, top-seeded again, is looking for the program’s first NCAA crown and is making its second finals appearance after losing to Syracuse, 21-9, in 1990. Here are a few factors that could play a role in the outcome of this NCAA tournament final at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., Monday afternoon.

Loyola's Charley Toomey has no regrets about clock-killing strategy

For the second game in a row, Loyola went to a strategy of holding the ball and killing the clock, and for the second game in a row, the top-seeded Greyhounds had trouble with carrying out the plan.

Is it time for Loyola and Maryland to resume regular-season series?

Monday’s NCAA tournament final between No. 1 seed Loyola and Maryland is the teams’ first meeting since May 23, 1998, when the Terps, as the No. 5 seed, upended the top-seeded Greyhounds, 19-8, in a semifinal.

Monday's final pits best friends in Loyola's Charley Toomey, Maryland's John Tillman

Loyola coach Charley Toomey is fond of saying that he’s rarely surprised when he returns to his family’s home in Anne Arundel County, and Maryland coach John Tillman is sitting on his sofa watching television. In his own defense, Tillman will point out that he’s usually a guest invited by Toomey’s wife Sara because she knows that Tillman is a bachelor.

Josh Hawkins provides Loyola with wings

If Josh Hawkins were to pull up his shirt, you might notice a pair of wings tattooed on his upper body. It’s a fitting mark for the junior short-stick defensive midfielder who may be the fastest player for Loyola.

Postscript from Maryland vs. Duke

All season, Maryland has relied on a starting blend of veterans and transfers on offense to average 11.2 goals. But when reserves begin contributing as they did in the team’s 16-10 demolition of No. 3 seed Duke in Saturday’s NCAA tournament semifinal at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., the opportunities become more frequent.

Richie Meade on meaning of Memorial Day

As the former head coach at Navy for 17 years and an assistant coach at Army for three seasons, Richie Meade has an enduring respect for this country’s armed forces.

SUNY-Cortland vs. Salisbury: Three things to watch

These teams have split the previous 10 meetings, but Salisbury has won the last three contests. They’ve met five times in the NCAA tournament, and the Sea Gulls are 3-2, including 2-1 in the title game. SUNY-Cortland (21-0) is making its seventh finals appearance, won crowns in 2006 and 2009, and beat Stevens Institute, 10-9, in the second round, Union, 9-4, in the quarterfinals, and Tufts, 12-10, in the semifinals. Nine-time reigning national champion Salisbury (22-0) has won 27 straight, is in the finals for the 14th time, and defeated Goucher, 12-4, in the second round, Cabrini, 14-4, in the quarterfinals, and Stevenson, 7-2, in the semifinals. Here are a few factors that could play a role in the outcome of this NCAA tournament final at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday afternoon.

Furman makes it official: Meade takes reins

Richie Meade recalled that his first conversation with Furman University about becoming the lacrosse program’s first head coach took place in April. And the relationship blossomed after that.

Salisbury not satisfied with just getting to Sunday's title game

With nine national championships in 13 attempts, Salisbury’s run of postseason success is eclipsed only by Hobart’s record of 13 NCAA titles in 14 tournament final appearances.

Maryland vs. Duke: Three things to watch

For the second time in the last two years, these Atlantic Coast Conference rivals will meet for a third time in the season. Maryland is 59-20 against Duke. The two sides split their earlier contests with the Terps winning, 10-7, on March 3, and the Blue Devils returning the favor with a 6-5 decision in the ACC tournament semifinal on April 20. No. 3 seed Duke (15-4) defeated Syracuse, 12-9, in the first round and Colgate, 17-6, in the quarterfinals. Maryland (11-5) upended No. 7 seed Lehigh, 10-9, in the first round and No. 2 seed Johns Hopkins, 11-5, in the quarterfinals. Here are a few factors that could play a role in the outcome of this NCAA tournament semifinal at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., Saturday evening.

Notre Dame vs. Loyola: Three things to watch

These two teams will meet for the 18th time, but for the first time since 2010. Loyola owns a 12-5 lead in the series, but Notre Dame has won the last four meetings. These teams faced each other in the NCAA tournament just once with the Greyhounds enjoying a 21-5 thumping in the first round on May 11, 1997. The No. 4 seed Fighting Irish (13-2) defeated Yale, 13-7, in the first round and No. 5 seed Virginia, 12-10, in the quarterfinals. No. 1 seed Loyola (16-1) beat Canisius, 17-5, in the first round and Denver, 10-9, in the quarterfinals. Here are a few factors that could influence the outcome of this NCAA tournament semifinal at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., Saturday afternoon.

Baltimore area well-represented at championship weekend

The Division I, II and III programs competing in championship weekend at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., include a large number of players hailing from the Baltimore metropolitan area.

Several players from Maryland earn national honors

The United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association announced its national awards for 2012, and several players from Maryland on the Division I and III levels were recognized for their efforts.

Salisbury's Ryan Clarke drawing opponents' attention lately

Playing on a starting midfield that is headlined by Division III’s Outstanding Player of the Year in Sam Bradman, junior Ryan Clarke might have figured that he’d be able to fly under the radar.

Duke has unique perspective on other semifinalists

It’s rare that one team has played against the other three semifinalists left in the NCAA tournament, but that’s the position that Duke finds itself in this week.

Loyola not shy about recruiting pitch

The most obvious benefit of Loyola reaching the national semifinals is that the top-seeded Greyhounds have as much of a chance as No. 3 seed Duke, No. 4 seed Notre Dame and unseeded Maryland to capture the coveted title.

Good or bad, emotions fuel Salisbury's Sam Bradman

When Salisbury and SUNY-Cortland meet Sunday in an NCAA tournament Division III final at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., it’s arguable that anyone on the field will be as emotional as Sam Bradman.

Loyola's Mike Sawyer snubbed in All-American voting?

Mike Sawyer would take the high road and never lower himself to criticize an individual achievement, but I think the Loyola junior attackman was snubbed in the voting for the Division I All-American first team.

Salisbury's Tyler Granelli gets long-awaited shot at SUNY-Cortland

Salisbury coach Jim Berkman is fond of saying that it’s fitting for the only two undefeated teams in Division III – the Sea Gulls (22-0) and SUNY-Cortland (21-0) – to meet in Sunday’s NCAA tournament final at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.