The No. 1 Maryland men’s lacrosse team returns home to SECU Stadium this Saturday for a showdown against Delaware, fresh off an exhilarating 11-10 victory over then-No. 1 Notre Dame in a national championship rematch. The Terps (5-0) have navigated a daunting early-season schedule, taking down three top-5 programs (Syracuse, Princeton, and Notre Dame) in consecutive weeks. Now, they must stay on track against a Delaware squad looking to make a statement of its own.
Maryland Edges Notre Dame in National Championship Rematch
Maryland’s dramatic win over Notre Dame last Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium was a testament to their defensive tenacity and clutch performances. Goalkeeper Logan McNaney made 16 saves, including a game-sealing kick save on All-American Chris Kavanagh’s doorstep attempt in the final seconds. McNaney, a sixth-year senior and former NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player, was instrumental in holding a high-powered Irish offense that averaged 19 goals per game to just 10.
On the offensive end, Eric Spanos and Daniel Kelly led the way with hat tricks, while Bryce Ford added a pair of goals. Maryland trailed 3-1 late in the first quarter but clawed back with timely scoring and a disciplined defensive approach. The Terps entered the fourth quarter with an 8-6 lead and extended their advantage to three before holding off a late push from Notre Dame.
While faceoff struggles continued—Notre Dame dominated with an 18-6 advantage at the X—Maryland’s transition offense and half-field sets were good enough to secure the victory.
Delaware: A Formidable Opponent at the X
The Terps now turn their attention to Delaware (3-1), a team with a reputation for strong defensive play and elite faceoff dominance. The Blue Hens have won an NCAA-best 67% of their face-offs this season, led by senior OJ Morris, who boasts an astounding 76.8% win rate. Given Maryland’s faceoff struggles against Notre Dame, this matchup could pose a significant challenge.
Defensively, Delaware is anchored by All-American goalkeeper Kevin Ellington, who finished last season in the top 10 nationally in goals-against average, save percentage, and saves per game. Offensively, freshman Bennett Parmer has stepped into a key role, leading the team with six goals and three assists, while sophomore midfielder John McCurry has 10 goals through four games.
Key Storylines
Can Maryland Improve at the Faceoff X?
Maryland’s biggest vulnerability so far this season has been faceoffs. The Terps struggled against Notre Dame’s unit, winning just 25% of their draws, and now face an even tougher test against Morris and Delaware’s dominant specialists. Head coach John Tillman has emphasized the need to clean up this phase of the game, as continued struggles could lead to extended defensive stands against a disciplined Blue Hens attack.
The Kolar Brother Battle
A unique subplot in this game will be the matchup between Maryland junior midfielder Eric Kolar and his older brother, Delaware senior attacker Jason Kolar. Jason has tallied five goals and two assists this season, and Eric could be tasked with limiting his brother’s impact.
SECU Stadium Set for a Packed House
With Maryland sitting atop the rankings for the first time in nearly three years and celebrating the program’s 100th season, the Terps are expecting a strong home crowd. SECU Stadium has been a fortress for Maryland, with the Terps winning 30 of their last 34 home games under Tillman.
Final Thoughts
Maryland enters this matchup as the heavy favorite, but Delaware’s ability to control possession through faceoffs and their strong defensive play could make this a tighter contest than expected. If the Terps can improve at the X and continue their balanced offensive attack, they should be able to maintain their No. 1 ranking and remain undefeated.
The Terps and Blue Hens face off at 12:30 p.m. on Big Ten Plus as Maryland looks to keep its perfect season alive.