By Connor Bell

The Terps dropped their first game of the season after Notre Dame’s defense held them off for a 5-4 win.

With the nation’s top defensive teams going at it, the Irish and Terrapins remained scoreless after the first period with the Terps only able to get off five shots.

However the Irish offense woke up in the second half and beat junior goaltender Dan Morris twice in the second half despite Morris having a new career high for saves in a game with 13.

Even though the Irish outscored Maryland in the first half, it was actually the Terps who broke the scoreless tie when Dylan Maltz found an easy close range goal. Notre Dame finally broke through with six minutes to go in the second period and added a quick goal within the closing minutes of the first half to take a 2-1 lead.

The second half was a story of the Terps being able to respond but Notre Dame would answer right back. Colin Heacock tied the game at two in the third quarter and Notre Dame scored shortly after. Connor Kelly also scored within the closing minutes of the third, but then the Irish responded again, making it 4-3 going into the fourth.

The Irish dominated the fourth period, getting off nine shots and holding Maryland to just four. The Terps didn’t score until the final seconds of the fourth after the Irish had already gotten a goal in the middle of the period to give them a two point cushion.

 The Terps are now 4-1 on the season and head to Albany next Saturday.