By Todd McElwee

Every NCAA championship is meaningful. But few have carried as much significance as Monday's all-Old Line State showdown between the Loyola and Maryland men's lacrosse teams at Gillette Stadium.

For the Greyhounds, it's a chance to claim a spot among the lax blue bloods, while the Terps can break one of the most famous streaks of futility in the sport -- they won their last national championship in 1975.

Maryland and Loyola swapped roles Saturday, defeating Duke, 16-10, and Notre Dame, 7-5, respectively. The stalling Terps tied their second-best offensive output of the season -- they scored 16 goals against Georgetown Feb. 24 and 17 against Marist March 10.

The Greyhounds, known for sprinting to double digits, slowed down and fended off a late Irish rally with clampdown defense and some help from graduate student Eric Lusby, who tallied another five goals, bringing his total during NCAA tournament play to 13.

Senior Drew Snider led the Terps with four goals.

So who's the favorite? Loyola is the top seed and has the two best offensive threats in Lusby and Mike Sawyer.

Maryland has the experience, having been to the title game just last year, and won't be overtaken by the moment.

But the biggest question is, why isn't this game being played at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore?

Posted May 27, 2012