Maryland men’s lacrosse enters the 2025 season with a familiar mission: compete for a national championship. Under head coach John Tillman, the Terps have established themselves as one of the premier programs in Division I, reaching the Final Four in three of the past four years, including a dominant undefeated title run in 2022. Despite falling short in last season’s title game against Notre Dame, Maryland is once again positioned as a contender with while Braden Erksa, Eric Kolar and Logan McNaney leading the way after being named Big Ten Players to Watch on Thursday.
Ranked fifth in Inside Lacrosse's preseason poll and picked to finish second in the Big Ten, the Terps will need to adjust quickly following key departures, particularly on defense and at the faceoff X. However, a combination of veteran leaders, high-profile transfers, and emerging talent gives them the potential to develop into a championship-caliber team as the season progresses.
Key Departures and Adjustments
Maryland’s defense suffered a significant loss with the graduation of Ajax Zappitello, one of the most dominant one-on-one defenders in recent years. His ability to shut down elite attackmen played a crucial role in Maryland’s success, and filling that void will be a challenge. Will Schaller, who started in the Terps’ final three playoff games last season, is expected to take on an expanded role alongside returning defenders Colin Burlace and Jackson Canfield.
The loss of faceoff specialist Luke Wierman is another major adjustment for Maryland. As the program’s all-time leader in faceoff wins and a consistent presence at the X, his absence leaves a gap in a position that has been one of the Terps’ biggest advantages. The remaining faceoff specialists on the roster have limited in-game experience, so depth at the position will be tested.
Offensively, the Terps must replace four of their top six scorers from last year, including Eric Malever and Daniel Maltz. The departures create opportunities for new faces to emerge as Maryland reworks its offensive structure.
Returning Talent and New Additions
Despite the roster turnover, Maryland returns key playmakers in critical positions. Graduate goalkeeper Logan McNaney, who battled injuries last season, is expected to return to full strength. McNaney is the first goalie in program history to don the No. 1 jersey—a prestigious honor usually reserved for the team's top talent.
On offense, junior Braden Erksa and senior Eric Spanos return as the Terps’ top two leading scorers from last season. Both players bring versatility and are capable of playing both attack and midfield, giving the coaching staff flexibility in building offensive schemes. Their ability to create scoring opportunities will be essential as Maryland integrates new pieces into its attack.
Maryland brought in several key transfers to help compensate for the offensive departures. Graduate attackmen Matthew Keegan (Binghamton) and Bryce Ford (Fairfield) provide proven scoring ability, while former Division III standout Jack Dowd (Salisbury) adds midfield depth. Freshman attackmen Spencer Ford, one of the most highly rated recruits in the country, also has the potential to contribute early in the season.
With a mix of veteran leadership and talented newcomers, the Terps have the personnel to rebuild their offensive and defensive units.
Challenging Schedule and Season Outlook
Maryland’s schedule leaves little room for error, with nine of its 12 opponents ranked in the preseason Top 20. The opening stretch will be especially telling, as the Terps face No. 2 Syracuse, No. 4 Princeton, and No. 1 Notre Dame within the first three weeks. These matchups will gauge where Maryland stands against the nation’s top teams early.
While this year’s roster may not have a clear Tewaaraton front-runner or an established superstar, Maryland has long thrived on its depth and ability to develop players into key contributors. The team’s identity has been built on adaptability, and that will be tested once again as new faces take on larger roles.
As the season begins, Maryland remains focused on maintaining its standard of excellence. The pieces are in place for another deep postseason run, but the challenge lies in how quickly the team can adjust and develop chemistry. With a history of peaking at the right time, the Terps will aim to build momentum throughout the season and position themselves for another shot at a national championship.
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