The 42-year title drought is over. The Maryland Terrapins are finally, emphasis on the word finally, champions of Division I men’s lacrosse. After nine straight appearances in the national championship game ending in a loss, the Terps finally exorcised their demons and took down Ohio State 9-6 to win the 2017 NCAA Division I men's title at Gillette Stadium on Monday afternoon.

John Tillman and his squad, which had fallen in two consecutive finals — one to Denver in a blowout and one in a heartbreaker to North Carolina — took a 5-2 halftime lead on the Buckeyes in their third meeting, and held on despite a furious rally in the fourth quarter.

And it wasn’t the usual cast, led by Matt Rambo, that stepped up for Maryland on Monday. Tim Rotanz had a hat trick, and Dylan Maltz and Adam DiMillo each scored twice to lead the stat sheet for the victorious Terps.

Ohio State had the early momentum thanks to faceoff man Jake Withers, who won five out of six in the first quarter. The Buckeyes drew first blood with a goal from Austin Shanks. 

Tim Rotanz answered for the Terps six minutes after Ohio State’s goal. He sent a shot past goalie Tom Carey to tie the game at 1-1 midway through the first quarter. After Colin Shell gave the Buckeyes the lead back briefly. Maryland responded with a four-goal run to end the half with the three-goal lead.

DiMillo got his first goal, and fourth of the season, unassisted to tie the game at 2-2. Just over two minutes later, Connor Kelly snuck a ball between Carey’s legs to give the Terps the 3-2 lead at the end of first quarter. 

Maryland got to Withers in the second quarter, winning two out of three faceoffs and commanding possession. That allowed the Terps to outshoot the Buckeyes 11-4 in the period and add goals from Dylan Maltz and DiMillo — and another shot that appeared to break the goal line off the stick from Colin Heacock — to hold a 5-2 lead at the half.

The Terps continued to dominate possession through the third quarter. winning all three faceoffs. Both teams struggled to find the final piece to the attack, but Ohio State got a goal from Logan Maccani and Maryland added one from Rotanz to enter the fourth quarter with a 6-3 lead.

With just 15 minutes left, Maryland started to pull away. Maltz picked up his second goal just minutes into the fourth quarter, and then Matt Rambo rumbled in for his first to make it 8-3 with 10:36 left in the game.

Ohio State wasn’t done, though, launching a three-goal run that cut the deficit to 8-6 with 2:25 left. Withers, Leclaire and Johnny Pearson had goals during the run.

When it looked like the Buckeyes had enough to claw back, Rotanz scored his third goal from far out while Carey was pushed out of his net. That goal sealed the victory for the Terps.