2017
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Scroll down to see what the Terps coaches and student-athletes had to say about the 9-6 victory over Ohio State and winning the 2017 NCAA Championship.
Championship Quotes
"It hasn't really sunk in yet. I'm just so excited for our players, staff, administration and Terp Nation up in the crowd. We could have easily never recovered after last year and I think it says a lot about this group and the fact that they weren't going to be denied. Those seniors took a chance on me and a new staff. I was kind of an unknown. So to take a chance on me, I will never forget that. I have benefited from all the former coaches - Coach Cottle, Coach Edell, Coach Matttesich and Coach Beardmore before he passed. There's a little bit of each of them in this team."
- Head Coach John Tillman
"This is the best moment of my life. Coach Tillman does so much for us and there was no better way to pay him back. We played for our alums, we played for our state, we played for our family and most importantly we played for the people in our locker room."
- Senior Matt Rambo
"It's an unbelievable feeling. My shoulders are are so light right now with that monkey off our back. So many people made so many sacrifices for this team to be successful."
- Senior Isaiah Davis-Allen
"I'm speechless. This has been a long time coming for a lot of people. This is a championship for the entire program. This is for everyone who has ever put on this jersey. It's so much bigger than us and that's what makes it feel so damn good. We finally did it."
- Redshirt Senior Nick Manis
"I was numb. I went straight to my roommate Dan Morris. Everyone was so excited and it was incredible to see the alumni crying in the stands completely overwhelmed with emotion. To face three straight all-american faceoff men back-to-back-to-back, I think Coach Mattes (volunteer assistant) earned his paycheck on this one."
- Redshirt Junior Tim Rotanz
"All of those people in the stands started this journey for us, so to be able to go out and finish it for them and the state of Maryland is truly special."
- Senior Colin Heacock
"We had a chip on our shoulder going up against three straight all-american faceoff men. I'm still in disbelief and so happy for our fans and families."
- Fifth-Year Senior Jon Garino
"Being on the wrong side of this thing two times and then to finally capture the title in the last game of my career, it's just surreal. I can't really put it into words."
- Senior Tim Muller
"I've got a ring now Pops! But if it wasn't for him motivating me, I probably wouldn't be where I am today. All I could think about after the game was Coach Tillman - that win was for him."
- Senior Dylan Maltz
"This is a dream come true. We have a team of 52 and it was unbelievable to get contributions from all 52. We have the best fanbase in the country and we owe so much to them. The drought is over."
- Junior Connor Kelly
"I guess the saying is true, the third time is the charm. This is for all of Terp Nation and I couldn't be any more grateful for their support."
- Junior Matt Neufeldt
"It's a build up from a lot of hard work from a lot of different people. People who sat in my seat before me and players who players that have come through like Casey Ikeda, Matt Dunn and Jesse Bernhardt. To see Timmy Muller and Nick Manis and think about all the hard work they put into this, it was great to see."
- Defensive Coordinator Kevin Conry
"It's funny, I'm kind of emotionless right now. I just have so much joy and I'm really fired up for the guys. Last year was really, really hard and for the guys to battle back and believe, that will be my best memory. They believed and stayed true to being Terps."
- Offensive Coordinator J.L. Reppert
"Jon Garino came in and was awesome for us. We knew we'd have to make adjustments throughout the game. I can't even explain how happy I am for these guys who have worked their tails off all season."
- Volunteer Faceoff Coach Chris Mattes