Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/30/11
Senior John Haldy (Haverford School) had been to the Final Four three times previous in his career at Virginia, but today the co-captain midfielder and the Cavaliers cashed in.
Colin Briggs scored five goals and seventh-seeded Virginia (13-5) overcame a slow start to defeat Maryland, 9-7, before 35,661 at steamy Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium in the men’s NCAA Division I championship game.
The title was Virginia’s first since 2006 and fourth under Dom Starsia. Haldy spent much of the day as the offensive quarterback and freshman midfielder Bobby Hill (Malvern Prep) added a groundball in a part-time role
For unseeded Maryland, it was a heartbreaking end to an amazing run, aided by three key Philly grads. Redshirt freshman goalie Niko Amato (La Salle) made 8 saves and was named to the All-Tournament team, while junior attackman Owen Blye (Downingtown East) had a goal and an assist and senior All-American defenseman Bret Schmidt (Upper Dublin) played standout defense on Virginia ace Steele Stanwick and also was named All-Tourney.
Maryland (13-5), which led, 1-0, and 3-2, was behind, 6-4 heading into the fourth period. Blye fed Brian Farrell with 13:06 left to make it 6-5 and then the Terps tied it 1:23 later on a transition goal by Ryan Young.
But a minute and a half later, Matt White scored on a wide open look near the crease. White then salted it with 5:29 to play.
