The Terps get back on track with a complete victory.
To put it lightly, No. 2 Maryland men’s lacrosse and No. 7 Penn State do not like each other very much.
The rivalry between the two schools — which has disappeared somewhat from the public eye due to Penn State’s dominance in football — has stayed alive in the world of lacrosse, with no love lost between the Terps and Nittany Lions.
Maryland has dominated the all-time series, winning the first 37 matchups, but Penn State beat the Terps in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament last year in a grueling, physical contest. Headed into the 45th all-time matchup between the two teams, it seemed like the game would be decided by a coin flip.
But led by a dominant showing from its attackers, Maryland cruised to a Senior Day victory over Penn State, 13-8. The Terps recorded their first conference win of the season and moved to 8-1 overall.
“I think we grew a little bit this week,” head coach John Tillman said. “Whether you win or lose last week, we were talking inches. So you can’t overreact, can’t underreact, but you’re trying to get better, and all the while trying to win some games.”
The Terps got a quick shot on the first possession but were stopped right away by Penn State’s 2024 All-American goalkeeper Jack Fracyon.
Penn State drew first blood on their opening possession, with Hunter Aquino netting off a pass from Matt Traynor. The two star Nittany Lions attackers were the Terps’ primary concerns entering the game, and seeing them combine early was not ideal.
Braden Erksa took matters into his own hands to level the game for Maryland. The junior attacker, who left the two teams’ last matchup on a stretcher, started the Terps off with an excellent solo goal, wrapping around the net and spinning past his defender before bouncing a shot into the far corner.
Erksa’s goal sent the Terps on a run. Matthew Keegan capped off a flowing team move to give Maryland the lead, and goals from AJ Larkin and Eric Spanos helped Maryland blitz to a 4-1 lead.
Maryland gave up a second goal before the end of the first quarter, but the Terps were fortunate to not concede more, with Penn State beating Maryland’s man defense to spots often and getting several promising looks. As the warning shots somehow skied over McNaney’s net multiple times, the Terps had to be careful.
But the two-goal cushion Maryland took to the second quarter quickly became four, with Eric Spanos scoring two goals in 73 seconds to complete his hat trick.
As has been the case in several Maryland games this season, the Terps clamped down in the second quarter to extend their lead.
“We’re just on the same page,” long stick midfielder Jack McDonald said. “We’re able to play together, six guys just working and pulling each other. It’s just — it’s the magic.”
One more goal, this time from Eric Kolar — his first of the season — and the Terps were flying into the half with a comfortable 7-2 advantage.
The teams traded goals through the third quarter, with Erksa twice cancelling out Penn State efforts and securing a hat trick of his own. Keegan and Aidan Aitken pushed the Maryland lead as high as seven. The Nittany Lions worked back to within five several times in the fourth quarter but never really looked in danger of going on a run.
The performance from the Terps was comprehensive. Between needing a response following the triple-overtime heartbreaker against Michigan and playing a rival in Penn State, there was little doubt the Terps would be up to the task in this one.
“You could feel the intensity, especially even after last week,” Keegan said. “The league games, they do have a different feel to them… but playing in an environment like that, even though it’s my first year, that’s what you want as a player. Definitely an amazing experience.”
Three things to know
1. Maryland’s clear challenges. The Terps entered the game boasting a 91.1% clear percentage, second in Division I. But they faced some difficulties clearing the ball Saturday, especially in the first quarter, where it went 2 for 5 on clears.
2. The Terps forced turnovers. The Terps’ early dominance was aided by a defense that looked back to normal against the Nittany Lions. Will Schaller and Larkin led an aggressive effort from the Terps, who recorded seven first-half caused turnovers.
3. Senior shoutout. After the game, the Terps honored 14 seniors on the roster. With the sun shining down, hundreds stayed in the stands after the contest to applaud the Terps in their penultimate appearance in SECU Stadium.
“I was just excited to get this done for our seniors and the guys who have been here for four years and worn that jersey, just to be able to bring home a W for them and all their families,” McDonald said.