Sports

Controversial College Lacrosse Goal Retroactively Deemed Illegal After Robbing Maryland Of Victory

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college lacrosse controversy johns hopkins throw crosse illegal matt collison Maryland
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Matt Collison scored the coolest goal of the college lacrosse season to help lift Johns Hopkins over Maryland. However, the incredible one-handed effort should not have counted.

It was retroactively deemed illegal.

This controversial no call could have a major impact on the college lacrosse rankings. The Terrapins were robbed of an opportunity to play into overtime because the Blue Jays were awarded an improper goal.

Johns Hopkins beat Maryland because of Matt Collison.

One single goal does not define a win or a loss. There are multiple moments throughout the 60-minute contest to create opportunities and to score more goals. A goalie can also stop more shots.

But with that being said, Johns Hopkins defeated Maryland by a final score of 9-8 so it quite literally did come down to one single goal. And that goal was scored during the fourth quarter just moments before an epic comeback by the Terrapins. So it was crucial! It changed the entire outcome!

Collison, a senior for the Blue Jays, finished with a hat trick but only two of them should’ve counted.

The controversial goal took place with approximately 8:30 remaining in the game. Johns Hopkins held a two-goal lead. Collison pump-faked to get the defense off of the line, blasted a Maryland defender and used his off-hand to rip a one-handed shot on goal from right outside of the crease.

Well, really, it was a no-handed goal. Collison threw his stick toward the net on his follow-through as the ball went into the net. Here is how it looked in real time:

Here is a better look at the replay:

As cool as it was, the goal should not count. The score should’ve remained at 7-5, not 8-5.

You cannot throw the crosse in college lacrosse.

According to Approved Ruling 47 of the college lacrosse rulebook, a player will receive a nonreleasable unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. If the ball enters into the goal, it should be ruled a no goal.

NCAA Coordinator of Officials Tom Abbott confirmed the incorrect ruling during the game between Johns Hopkins and Maryland. Matt Collison’s goal was illegal.

“A player may not throw his crosse under any circumstances. If a crosse, with or without the ball in it is thrown at the goal, intentionally or unintentionally, and the ball enters the goal, the goal shall not count.”

While no outcome is certain, the game would’ve been tied 8-8 at the end of regulation instead of 9-8. And it’s not like this game was not important.

The Blue Jays earned the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten Tournament with the win. The Terrapins would’ve benefited greatly from a Top-10 RPI win.