The Terps used a strong fourth quarter to earn their 900th program win.
As the calendar turned to its contest against Virginia, one thing became clear to No. 1 Maryland lacrosse head coach John Tillman: the Terps had to beware the Ides of March.
Maryland, the Caesarean kings of lacrosse through six weeks, needed to heed the risk of being taken down by a familiar foe. And there are few more familiar opponents to Maryland than the No. 18 Virginia Cavaliers.
In the 99th meeting between Maryland and Virginia, the Terps faced a tough test but pulled away late from the Cavaliers for a 12-6 victory. The win was the 900th in program history — Maryland is just one of three teams to accomplish the feat.
“[There’s] still a lot we can improve upon, which is good,” Tillman said. “With league play coming up, we’re going to have to play better, but always great to get down here … it’s hard to get a win.”
Maryland’s midfield powered the Terps to an excellent start.
Shea Keethler won the opening possession, and less than a minute into the game, Bryce Ford gave the Terps an advantage. Another minute off the clock, and a howitzer from Elijah Stobaugh doubled Maryland’s lead.
Matthew Keegan got in on the scoring, wrapping around from behind the net to beat Virginia goalkeeper Matthew Nunes. Stobaugh added another to make it four goals on four shots for Maryland. Before the Cavaliers could blink, Maryland had blown past them.
In net, it was business as usual for Logan McNaney. The graduate goalkeeper entered Saturday’s contest averaging over 13 saves a game, and his six opening-quarter saves put the Terps ahead early on.
Even when Virginia finally opened their account for the day, Keegan’s second cancelled it out. The Terps ended the opening frame up 5-1.
Maryland slowed the game down in the second quarter, with Tillman’s unit looking to chew up clock. But with the game quieting down, the Cavaliers found opportunities to cut into the advantage.
Ryan Colsey worked through the gut of the Maryland defense and gave Virginia its second goal. The Hoos then scored two in just over a minute to make it a one-goal affair with five minutes remaining in the opening half.
The clang of a crossbar and the whistle ending the half helped the Terps keep their narrow advantage. Most concerning for Tillman, Maryland went scoreless for nearly 23 minutes going into the break, creating just three shots in the period.
Entering the second half, though, the Terps regianed control.
Aidan Aitken scored nearly four minutes into the third quarter, ending the Terps’ scoreless run at 26 minutes. Ford got his second a few minutes later, but Virginia pegged them back.
McNaney made four saves in the third, including one from point-blank range with the quarter nearly over to keep Maryland ahead.
“A lot of those saves have been timely,” Tillman said. “Not only is he saving them, he’s catching them and he’s getting us outlets, which is great.”
Early in the fourth quarter, the Cavaliers got a controversial goal to cut the score to 7-6. Truitt Sunderland’s foot appeared to be on the crease as he fired a shot, but Tillman opted against throwing down the challenge flag.
Momentum was flowing against the Terps. But all of a sudden, the script flipped.
The Terps drew two penalties in a 30-second span — slashing and offsides — and earned a 6-on-4 opportunity. Eric Spanos had been held to a solitary assist through three quarters, but the senior got free and sent a laser into the net for a two-goal lead.
On the following faceoff, Sean Creter won the ball, ran unopposed toward the net and potted his second goal of the season, extending the Maryland lead to three.
The Cavaliers were stunned. Virginia’s attack, which had threatened Maryland consistently, fizzled out. In the last seven minutes, Maryland tacked on goals from Braden Erksa (two) and Spanos to put the game out of reach — and make the game appear far more one-sided than it was.
“We kind of, at times, didn’t anticipate some of [Virginia’s defense],” Tillman said. “Still made some mistakes, but I’m proud of our guys. Now, we get to go on spring break in College Park.”
Three things to know
1. Turnover trouble for the Terps. Maryland entered Saturday averaging the fewest turnovers per game (12.67) in Division I. They committed 12 in the first 30 minutes alone and finished with 20.
2. Second-quarter woes. The Terps have relied on a strong second frame to pull away from opponents all season. The Terps were outscored, 3-0, in the second quarter — their first such deficit in a month.
3. Big Ten time. Maryland finished its nonconference slate undefeated. Now, the Terps face a five-game stretch against conference foes in the quest for their first Big Ten regular season or tournament title since 2022.