As Navy’s Tommy Phelan took the field at Byrd Stadium, the junior goalie was convinced he already knew the outcome of his ninth-ranked team’s game against third-ranked Maryland.

“I knew from the start that we were going to win this game,” the former standout at Loyola Blakefield said. “No question.”

He made sure his prediction became fact by holding Maryland’s potent attack scoreless for the first half en route to a 5-4 victory over the Terrapins in front of a crowd of 7,106 on Friday night.

In a game that was supposed to feature Maryland’s offense that averaged 12.2 goals per game against Navy’s stingy defense that has held the opposition to fewer than five, Phelan seized the spotlight in the Midshipmen’s biggest win of the season.

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“It was the biggest game of my career,” Phelan said of Navy’s fourth victory over the Terrapins in the past five seasons. “I just loved every minute of it.”

Phelan made 11 saves in just his third career start, as he continued to establish himself as one of the team’s best players after replacing starter Matt Coughlin, who suffered a hamstring strain against Bucknell. Phelan made 13 saves in an 8-3 win over Colgate on March 23 before making the same number in an 11-10 overtime loss to Georgetown on March 29.

But against the Terrapins (7-3), his job was made easier after Maryland freshman Travis Reed, who has a team-high 18 goals and five assists, was suspended before the game after being charged Thursday morning with possession of marijuana and driving under the influence. Reed was pulled over early Thursday morning while riding a motorized scooter in a parking lot on Knox Road in College Park, and marijuana was found during a search by police.

“I made a mistake and I am sorry I let my teammates, coaches and fans of the Maryland men’s lacrosse program down,” Reed, who has no timetable set for his return, said. “I’m taking full responsibility for my actions and am accepting all penalties that have been imposed on me by my coaches and family.”

Still, the victory by Navy (9-2) was integral for the Midshipmen remaining in contention for an at-large bid to the 16-team NCAA Tournament if they fail to qualify automatically by winning the Patriot League Tournament.

“This was a very critical game for us,” said Navy coach Richie Meade. “I felt like we worked hard enough to win.”

The victory, in which Navy held Maryland to its lowest output in three years, also was pivotal for Phelan, who had spent the past two years as a seldom-used reserve.

But now that he has his chance, he’s making the most of it. Navy plays at 11th-ranked Army (7-3) on Saturday at noon on ESPNU in a game in which the winner gains the inside track toward claiming the Patriot League’s regular season title.

“We could be the best team in the league and they can be ranked the worst, and it’s still going to be a battle: That’s just the way those two schools are,” Phelan said. “There’s no question this Army-Navy game could top almost a national championship game, because everyone puts their spirit, puts their guts into it. They know who they’re representing when they either win or lose.”

avitelli@baltimoreexaminer.com