COLLEGE PARK — For the third consecutive game, the Maryland men's lacrosse team found itself flailing around and getting bogged down in a nip-and-tuck affair in the second half. And for the third straight game, the Terps persevered.

Facing a 6-3 deficit early in the third quarter, No. 5 Maryland scored seven straight goals to overcome No. 18 Rutgers, 11-8, in a pivotal game in the Big Ten Conference before an announced 4,101 at Maryland Stadium on Saturday.

Senior defenseman Matt Dunn credited the program's schedule of games against opponents such as No. 1 Notre Dame, No. 2 Yale and No. 7 Albany with toughening the team's mindset.

Another factor was the play of the starting attack of juniors Dylan Maltz, Matt Rambo and Colin Heacock. Maltz scored a career-high four goals, Rambo had a team-best five points on three goals and two assists, and Heacock scored three times to help Maryland collect its eighth straight victory and improve to 9-2 overall and 3-0 in the conference. The win gives the Terps sole possession of first place.

The trio was especially critical during a 7-0 run that turned a 6-3 deficit early in the third quarter into a 10-6 advantage midway through the final period.

“I think that Matty and Colin are two of the best attackmen in the country,” Maltz said. “I think emotionally, they helped us get to where we needed to get.”

The Scarlet Knights (9-3, 2-1) got goals from sophomore midfielder Chad Tolliver and freshman attackman Josh Jordan to build a three-goal cushion with 12:05 left in the third quarter.

Heacock dodged around the right post and curled back to the doorstep to score with 10:31 remaining. Rambo followed with a curl around the right post and a goal with 8:11 left.

Maryland tied the score at 6 with crisp passing in transition. Maltz converted a feed from Rambo to give the Terps a 7-6 lead with 4:47 left.

Heacock opened the fourth quarter with a curl around the left post and a shot that bounced into the top right corner with 12:28 remaining. Rambo capped the 7-0 run with a shot from the right alley with 7:27 remaining to give Maryland a 10-6 advantage.

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