When Maryland men’s lacrosse defenseman Curtis Corley tries to sleep, he often hears roommate Anthony DeMaio shouting from another room. DeMaio, a redshirt freshman attackman, is an avid college basketball fan who becomes animated even when he doesn’t hold a rooting interest in a particular game.

“All night, [he screams] ‘Yeah, let’s go!’ Whatever team is on, he’s watching any college basketball,” Corley said. “I’ll hear, ‘No, you can’t shake that foul! What is wrong with you?'”

DeMaio’s competitive edge is also evident when he and his teammates play Fortnite on Xbox and when he takes the field during the Terps’ practices and games.

DeMaio spent last season working on Maryland’s scout team, and his edge earned him a spot in coach John Tillman’s starting lineup early this season. He has started three of the No. 2 Terps’ first four contests and emerged as an additional threat on Maryland’s attack.

“He gets the best of all of us out there [in practice],” Corley said. “He’s a really good dodger, shooter and feeder. He’s a really good guy down there for us right now.”

[Read more: “Hell of a ride”: John Tillman is the fastest Maryland men’s lacrosse coach to 100 wins]

When DeMaio arrived in College Park after a distinguished career at Coronado High School, Maryland’s coaching staff had to figure out where he could fit into the Terps’ playing style. His 391 points set a record for high school lacrosse in California, and his 232 career goals rank third in the state’s history.

Still, DeMaio redshirted his first season with Maryland, watching from the sideline as his teammates ended a 42-year championship drought. But rather than becoming frustrated, he said it was a learning experience he could use once he earned playing time.

This year, he’s had that chance.

“The biggest thing with us is trying to figure out where to put him in terms of what would make him most comfortable and give him the opportunity to be a little more impactful,” Tillman said. “If anything, he puts a lot of pressure on himself.”

Perhaps that was the reason DeMaio didn’t score in the first three games of his Maryland career. But he made his presence felt in the Terps’ 13-6 win against Penn on Feb. 21. With about two minutes remaining in the first half, DeMaio found the net for his first career collegiate goal, pushing the Terps’ lead to six.

Everyone on the field rushed toward him with beaming smiles and hugged him in celebration.

“It was definitely good to get it out of the way,” DeMaio said. “It’s something I’ll remember forever.”

[Read more: Logan Wisnauskas leads No. 3 Maryland men’s lacrosse to 13-6 win over Penn]

After the game and subsequent tailgate, DeMaio called his dad, who played hockey at Springfield College. They laughed and discussed the play, but DeMaio’s dad reminded him not to be content, an issue he shouldn’t have trouble with given the way he’s wired.

“Whatever you can do to help the team is what you’re going to do,” DeMaio said. “It’s something I’ve embraced, knowing my role.”