Maryland men’s lacrosse finished the year at 11-3 — its best record since 2022 — played the nation’s toughest schedule this season and are a veteran-laden group.
But amid the impressive campaign, there have been issues. No. 3 Maryland hasn’t put together a complete performance lately, a troubling sign entering postseason play.
The Terps’ offense ranks 43rd in goals per game and shot just 22.7 percent against Ohio State in the Big Ten tournament finals.
Maryland’s stout defense has led most victories, but let up a season-high 14 goals to the Buckeyes. Even in a tournament semifinal win over Penn State, the Terps had their worst faceoff showing of the season.
“Now we’re just trying to figure out how can we get everybody’s best foot forward,” coach John Tillman said.
Inconsistent attack play
Maryland’s starting attackers — Braden Erksa, Daniel Kelly and Eric Spanos — are the team’s leading scorers, but have struggled to score simultaneously.
Erksa’s season has been mired in inconsistency. He ranks second in the conference in turnovers per game, but has scored in every contest. After scoring a season-high four goals against Johns Hopkins to close the regular season, he followed it with only two shots on goal against Penn State.
That left Kelly to carry the Terps against the Nittany Lions. The fifth year scored a career-high five goals in the tournament’s semifinals. But Ohio State swarmed Kelly in the championship game, holding him to just one goal.
[Maryland men’s lacrosse can’t keep up in 14-10 loss to Ohio State in Big Ten tourney finals]
Eric Spanos scored twice with aggressive one-on-one moves after being held scoreless in consecutive contests for the first time this season.The senior attempted the most shots of the season against the Buckeyes.
The three attackers are All-Big Ten caliber players. But recently, the trio has been unable to put together a complete showing.
Faceoff woes
Questions surrounded the Terps’ faceoff unit after Luke Wierman, the Terps’ all-time leader in faceoffs, graduated this offseason. It’s become a concern entering May after Maryland shuffled its specialist role this season.
Keethler started the season strong at the X but failed to win any faceoffs against Penn State, which followed a 4-11 showing against Johns Hopkins. Sophomore Sean Creter hasn’t played since late March due to injury, leaving Jonah Carrier in an elevated role. The freshman won more than half of his bouts at the X against Ohio State in his third-straight game leading the team in faceoffs taken.
[No. 3 Maryland men’s lacrosse advances to Big Ten title, defeats No. 7 Penn State 10-8]
Maryland secured more than half of faceoffs to give its offense chances in the Ohio State game, after winning a season-low four against Penn State.
“[The Nittany Lions] were playing faster because they just kept getting the ball,” Tillman said. “You get the ball that much, boy, you just play with a lot more confidence.”
But the Buckeyes’ shooting percentage was still more than 45 percent — the highest mark against Maryland this season.
A disappointing defensive showing
Miscommunications, late rotations and poor one-on-one defense plagued the Terps in the championship contest. Goalkeeper Logan McNaney allowed the most goals and posted the worst save percentage of his campaign on Saturday.
The graduate student was unable to bail out a defense that allowed a season-worst 24 of 31 shots to come on goal. The Buckeyes shot at varied angles and never let the former All-American settle in.
“Their first two goals were just quick dodges early in the offense, rolling back and just getting their hands free,” Tillman said. “We love Logan [McNaney] and wouldn’t trade him for anybody. But I felt like, man, they did a really good job of shooting.”
Despite Maryland’s overall success, its recent problems in all three phases are concerning ahead of the NCAA tournament. A poor performance in any aspect could end the Terps’ season.
