May 19, 2000

Trenton, N.J. -

The top-ranked Maryland women's lacrosse team (20-1) took one more step towards defending its national championship Friday night when it downed Loyola 17-7 at Lions Stadium at the College of New Jersey. Junior Jen Adams (Marino, South Australia) led the Terps with five goals, four of which came in the second half.

Maryland jumped out early on a goal from Allison Comito (Glen Head, N.Y.) just 46 seconds into the game and the Terps never relinquished their lead. The Greyhounds were able to pull even with the Terps when Stacey Morlang hit for her second goal of the game at 16:24 before Maryland scored 12 of the next 13 goals, holding Loyola scoreless for an almost 15 minute stretch at one point.

"I think coming into the national championship, we're all focused and have a connection that was really evident," said Adams of the teamwork displayed by the Terps in the 10-goal win. "We always knew we were beside each other. We knew we were never standing alone."

Maryland now heads to its seventh straight National Collegiate title game. The Terps have played for the national title 11 out of the past 12 years, and increase their NCAA record to an outstanding 26-8 (.765). Maryland awaits the winner of the second semifinal between James Madison and Princeton, which began shortly after 8 p.m. at the College of New Jersey. The championship game will take place on Sunday, May 21, at 3 p.m. Comcast CN8 will televise the game live on Sunday, as well as the Division III championship game.