BALTIMORE (Map, News) - The Terrapins picked the right time to learn how to come from behind.

Seventh-seeded Maryland advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament after beating Denver, 10-7, in a first-round game at Byrd Stadium in front of a crowd of 1,360 on Saturday.

The Terrapins (10-5) will play either second-seeded Virginia or UMBC on Saturday at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.

Maryland, which had not come from behind after trailing at the end of the first quarter to win a game this season, was down 5-2 midway through the second quarter and in danger of falling in the first round for the second year in a row. 

But this time, the Terrapins were able to turn it around. The defense, led by senior Joe Cinosky, held the Pioneers (10-7) scoreless for the next 30 minutes, enabling Maryland to turn the deficit into a 9-5 lead.

“We knew we had it in us,” freshman attacker Grant Catalino, who led Maryland with four points (two goals, two assists), said. “I thought if we just kept shooting, eventually the ball would fall our way and we would come back.”

Cinosky had four ground balls, tied a career high with four caused turnovers and even got into the act offensively. He scored a man-down goal to open the fourth quarter and give the Terrapins an 8-5 lead. It was just the second goal of his career.

“Once we knew they were trying to kind of bully us,” Cinosky said, “we took it to them.”

avitelli@baltimoreexaminer.com