Before the start of Maryland men’s lacrosse’s regular season, coach John Tillman called goalkeeper Logan McNaney in what began as a typical conversation. The call didn’t end that way.
The call ended with Tillman telling McNaney his number would change, making him the newest Terp to don the program’s coveted No. 1 jersey. The decision surprised McNaney, whose collegiate career to that point included an ACL injury that ended his 2023 campaign after just two games and a fight to earn the starting spot this season.
“I’m very honored to be wearing No. 1, but at the end of the day, that doesn’t change how I’m going to act,” McNaney said. “Regardless of the number, I’m going to try to play the same way.”
In determining who should receive the No. 1 jersey each season, Tillman and his staff evaluate a player’s ability to handle extra pressure and expectations without letting it become a distraction. McNaney’s journey made him the top choice.
McNaney played for the Sweetlax Club Lacrosse Team from 2014 to 2018 after competing in local travel leagues growing up — a significant increase in competition. Players moved faster around the field and shot with more precision and speed, putting pressure on McNaney that he didn’t have before. That challenge helped develop his composure.
“I think just in life as well, I kind of try to bring that mantra — things are going to happen, you’re going to have bad days, you’re going to have good days,” McNaney said. “I think it’s best to stay neutral, regardless of what’s going on.”
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When Maryland first hosted McNaney’s family for a group visit in the summer before he entered ninth grade, the visit didn’t go great, according to Kim McNaney, Logan’s mother. So Tillman brought his family back for a one-on-one trip, which went much better and ultimately resulted in McNaney signing with Maryland.
“That made all the difference in the world,” Kim McNaney said. “When he had the opportunity to be able to take advantage of [when] coach Tillman offered him a spot, he jumped on that pretty quick.”
McNaney earned the starting goalkeeper role his freshman year after not playing in the first four games of the season, and won his first two starts. But the COVID-19 pandemic ended the season early and halted McNaney’s ascent. Once play resumed in 2021, he took his game to another level.
Ajax Zappitello, who played with McNaney on defense for four seasons and wore the No. 1 jersey before the goalkeeper, still recalls McNaney making saves in practice — even at point blank range — against All-Americans like Jared Bernhardt and Logan Wisnauskas. McNaney always seemed to have a sense where the ball was going and inspired confidence from his teammates, Zappitello said.
McNaney went 15-1 in the cage in 2021 before leading an undefeated season his junior campaign. He was named the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player that season.
McNaney’s torn ACL, in addition to hand and knee injuries he dealt through during a down 2024 season, tested his mental fortitude, but he kept composed amid the adversity.
McNaney, fully healthy after receiving surgery on his hand and a clean up on his knee over the offseason, has been key to Maryland’s 3-0 start while allowing nearly four fewer goals per game than last year.
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“If I’m a defender, I want that type of goalie, a guy that’s not going to point the finger, a guy that’s going to take a lot on,” Tillman said. “You kind of feel like he’s one of you, he’s not pointing out all your mistakes and talking down to you. He’s almost like that quarterback that loves his offensive linemen.”
McNaney’s straightforward demeanor remains off the field, no matter the situation.
He plays memory games on his phone to work on hand-eye coordination before the start of games while many of his teammates spend their time listening to music for mental preparation.
When the university sought a player from each sport to dress up and showcase their style for photos, many athletes dressed up in extravagant ways. McNaney casually showed up in a Maryland shooting shirt and lacrosse shorts.
McNaney’s mindset is always focused, and his goal with the new jersey remains to win a national championship. Zappitello’s faith in him to continue the legacy of No. 1 is strong.
“You have a conversation with the kid for five minutes and he makes you feel like you’re on top of the world,” Zappitello said. “I think his ability to make other people feel valued and heard … it’s pretty rare, pretty unique, and I think it’s definitely very deserving and fitting that he gets No. 1.”
