“Fear the Faceoff” read one sign at the NCAA Lacrosse semifinal between Maryland and Duke. Duke needed to fear the faceoff, as Maryland midfielder Curtis Holmes won 11 of 17 faceoffs en route to a 9-4 victory.

Duke scored first in the game, but Maryland quickly recovered. By the end of the first quarter, Maryland held a slim 2-1 lead.

Maryland stayed in the lead by scoring first in the second quarter. Their 3-0 run was snapped when Duke scored once again to make it a one-goal game. However, just five seconds later, Maryland once again found the back of the net. Maryland scored once more before halftime, making the score 5-2 at the half.

Duke scored first in the second half as well, cutting Maryland’s lead to two. It was the closest they would get for the rest of the game. Maryland scored following a Duke man-up situation, making the score 6-3 at the end of the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, it was all Maryland. Maryland scored three more times, giving them a six goal lead with 3:17 left in the game. With just under two minutes left in the game, Duke scored, snapping a 23-minute scoring drought. The game remained scoreless the rest of the way, and Maryland won 9-4.

Maryland senior Grant Catalino had a hat trick in the game. Maryland junior Joe Cummings added two goals and an assist, while sophomore Owen Blye contributed a goal and an assist. Redshirt freshman goalie Niko Amato had 13 saves in the game, while holding Duke to their second lowest number of goals scored this season.

This victory sends Maryland to their 10th Finals appearance and their first since 1998. The Maryland Men’s Lacrosse team has not won a national championship since 1975.

The Maryland Women’s Lacrosse team also beat Duke this weekend, and they will play the Northwestern Wildcats on Sunday at 4:00 p.m.

Brian Reid is a reporter for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com