NCAA Men's Lacrosse Preview: No. 6 Maryland's Search for Consistency

USA Lacrosse Magazine is beginning its countdown to Feb. 1 — the first day of the 2025 men's lacrosse season — by releasing one team preview per day beginning on Monday, Jan. 13.

We continue the countdown with No. 6 Maryland, a team without brand names hoping to continue playing to its own brand name.

Maryland men’s lacrosse has established itself as one of the premier programs in Division I. The Terps have advanced to the final four in three of the past four seasons, finishing an unbeaten season in 2022 and returning to the championship game last spring.

Despite another NCAA tournament run, John Tillman admitted that the 2024 version of the Terps was not what he’s used to in College Park.

“Last year’s team was unique in that we were so darn inconsistent,” Tillman said. “From one half to another, from one week to another. They stuck together. They always kept fighting. But we were not as efficient and as buttoned up as we’ve been.”

With a slew of graduates from last year’s team that made the unlikely run to Memorial Day — when the Terps fell to Notre Dame — Maryland is looking to regroup and compete for a national title once again.

Tillman has shown a remarkable ability to build a strong foundation even if his team has plenty of new parts. With stalwarts like Ajax Zappitello and Luke Wierman gone, just like most of the starting midfield, he’s putting in the work to make sure Maryland looks the same without them.

TOP RETURNERS

Braden Erksa, A, Jr. (24G, 17A) 
Eric Spanos, A/M, Sr. (25G, 14A) 
Logan McNaney, G, Gr. (50.3 save percentage)

Erksa and Spanos were two leaders of last year’s offense, both capable of playing out of the midfield and at attack. Erksa excelled from X in 2024, helping facilitate a Terps offense that didn’t feature a powerhouse like Logan Wisnauskas or Jared Bernhardt. Spanos may spend time at both attack and midfield, helping connect two lines with a few new faces. McNaney returns for another year as the leader in an uber-talented goalie room. He didn’t have his best statistical season in 2024, but he is healthy and ready to regain the form he displayed from 2021-22.

KEY ADDITIONS

Jack Dowd, M, Gr. (Salisbury)
Matthew Keegan, A, Sr. (Binghamton)
Spencer Ford, A, Fr.
Bryce Ford, A/M, Gr. (Fairfield)
Noah Armitage, M, Sr. (Stony Brook)

Dowd was a three-time All-American and Midfielder of the Year at Salisbury who should see valuable time on the Maryland midfield. Keegan and Ford both shined at mid-majors and will add depth to an offense that lost a few pieces to graduation.

“We did have so much turnover that it afforded us the ability to have a few more transfers than normal,” Tillman said. “We’re not just trying to grab anybody and everybody. We try to find the right guys.

Ford might take the longest to get acquainted, but the freshman out of Boys’ Latin could have the highest ceiling. He could play a role on the right side of the Terps’ offense.

NOTABLE DEPARTURES

Graduations: Eric Malever, A; Daniel Maltz, A; Jack Koras, M; Ryan Siracuse, M; Owen Murphy, M; Luke Wierman, FO; Ajax Zappitello, D; Jack Brennan, M

X-FACTOR

Eric Spanos, A/M, Sr. (25G, 14A)

Spanos has done just about everything for the Maryland offense in his career, lining up at midfield and providing a spark while spending time as a threat at X. He’s a plug-and-play option for Tillman depending on where he feels the need is.

This season, Spanos might need to shift back to midfield, where Maryland was most impacted by graduation. A healthy and productive Spanos could sure up the offensive midfield, allowing Erksa to feed Daniel Kelly, Matthew Keegan, Spencer Ford and plenty more.

THE NARRATIVE

This version of Maryland might not have a Tewaaraton candidate (although McNaney, Spanos and Erksa could make a case). It might not be the most talented Terps team on paper, either.

But Tillman has become one of the top coaches in the game for his ability to develop a team that can compete with anyone in the country. His ability to build a foundation around a younger core mixed with veteran transfers could prove vital in whether Maryland is seen as a title contender.

So far, he’s happy with how his team is coming together.

“I can’t say enough of the newer guys that we have this year,” Tillman said. “They come with a lot of experience. They’re excited to try to help the team in any way they can, and I’m pumped about what those guys bring to the table.”

Spanos could lead a midfield that includes new names like Dowd, Noah Armitage, Zach Whittier, Elijah Stobaugh. Erksa will be feeding to a transfer in Keegan and a star freshman in Ford. On defense, Colin Burlace and Will Schaller will attempt to fill the shoes left by Zappitello.

The biggest question comes on faceoffs, where Tillman is still evaluating his four options.

Ultimately, Tillman knows there are holes to fill and areas that need to grow this spring. He’s confident that, much like last year, he can get this Terps playing their best lacrosse come May.

“We might not have a lot of big-name guys that other teams might have,” Tillman said. “That’s never anything that we’ve put stock in here. This is a process-oriented group. This group is ready to go to battle with each other.”