A game full of twists and turns and signature moments ended when Brian Willetts came around the cage and found the narrowest of openings to slip through and get his hands free for the game-winning goal as No. 12 Notre Dame edged No. 2 Maryland, 14-13, in overtime.

Brian Willetts with the OT game-winner! @NDlacrosse beats @TerpsMLax 14-13.  pic.twitter.com/fq2PBnhMfw

— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) March 3, 2019

Playing before a national television audience on ESPNU and an intimate crowd indoors at the Loftus Sports Center as icy conditions gripped South Bend, Notre Dame’s offense heated up for a good portion of the game, denying Maryland (5-1) a chance to move into the nation’s No. 1 ranking after Loyola’s loss to Towson earlier this week.

After falling behind 4-1 early, the Irish parlayed two separate four-goal runs into an 11-7 lead midway through the third quarter, but then the offense suddenly went cold.

Notre Dame went over 17 minutes without a goal and allowed the Terps to get back in it. Will Snider came into the game with just one goal in Maryland’s first five games, but scored his third goal of the third quarter to make it 11-8.

Jared Berhardt then scored back-to-back goals, the first on a dive with just 45 seconds left in the third quarter. Logan Wisnauskus ended the four-goal run to tie game 11-11 with 10:45 to play.

Jared Bernhardt had one goal on a dive wiped out earlier, but not this one. @NDlacrosse leads @TerpsMLax 11-9 entering 4th on @ESPNU pic.twitter.com/2a19Ik1AEQ

— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) March 3, 2019

Brendan Gleason, who left the game in the second half with a leg injury after getting tangled up with a hustling Bernhardt on a ground ball battle, came back just fine. Back-to-back goals by Gleason put the Irish back on top 13-11, but Maryland had one final run.

Wisnauskus scored with 2:22 left and then found Anthony DeMaio in front of the cage for the game-tying goal with just 15 seconds remaining.

Late goal from Anthony DeMaio ties it for @TerpsMLax but @NDlacrosse will be man up to start OT on @ESPNU pic.twitter.com/5BPNxS43Uw

— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) March 3, 2019

Notre Dame’s Charles Leonard won the faceoff to start overtime and his shot with just three seconds left hit the pipe, but Maryland was called for a hold on the play, giving the Irish a man-up to start the overtime. Notre Dame didn’t cash in the EMO, but the Terps never gained possession in extra time and Willetts delivered the winner.

Gleason had four goals to lead Notre Dame (2-1) and Willetts and Connor Morin each scored three times.

Snider and Wisnauskus each had three goals for Maryland while Austin Henningsen won 17 of 25 faceoffs.