Men’s Lacrosse Playoff Run Ends With Loss to Loyola

By: Greg Levinsky

BALTIMORE — Less than two weeks ago, the Boston University Men’s Lacrosse team suffered its toughest setback of the 2018 campaign, a 23-9 loss at the hands of perennial Patriot League champion Loyola Maryland.

On Friday night against the same Greyhounds, the sixth-seeded Terriers (8-8, 3-5 Patriot League) battled, but ultimately came up short in a 13-8 loss to first-seeded Loyola (11-3, 7-1) in Baltimore, Md. in the Patriot League Semifinal. Loyola is ranked sixth in the nation and boasts the sixth best offense in the country.

2018 Patriot League Rookie of the Year Chris Gray scored the game’s opening tally and a goal by junior James Burr quickly made it 2-0 Terriers. Burr scored all four of his goals in the first half as BU nabbed a 7-6 halftime lead on a goal by sophomore Chase Levesque.

Burr became the first player in program history to reach the 40 goal mark in a single season, ending his junior campaign with 41 goals and 11 assists.

It was a pivotal third quarter in which Loyola outscored BU 4-0 to take a 10-7 lead. The Greyhounds tacked on the first two goals of the final stanza, creating a five-goal cushion that the Terriers could not overcome.

Freshman Kevin Lindley nabbed five goals for Loyola and junior Pat Spencer added two goals and a trio of helpers. Five other players found the back of the net.

BU goalkeeper Joe McSorley made 13 saves on 26 shots on goal.

Gray became the first Terrier to surpass both 70 points and 40 assists in a single season, ending his freshman campaign with 31 goals and 41 assists for 70 total points after scoring a goal and adding two assists.

BU concludes its season with a matchup at No. 2 Duke University on Sunday May 6.