The Terps look to rebound against a quality Nittany Lions team.
It was bound to happen eventually.
Everything had gone right for No. 2 Maryland men’s lacrosse through six weeks. Logan McNaney was unconscionably hot, the defense seemingly got better after losing defender Ajax Zappitello, and the new-look frontlines were working together smoothly. The Terps were the undefeated No. 1 team in the country, and talking heads were generous in their praise of a team that didn’t look like dropping off anytime soon.
But against Michigan, it all went wrong.
McNaney underperformed his season-long 66% save percentage, keeping out less than half the shots that came his way. A few of the goals were seemingly due to his lapses, but others came from defenders’ errors as Maryland shipped a season-high 11 goals. The offense fell apart, too, to the tune of 20 turnovers and six missed shots in overtime.
And yet the Wolverines still needed three overtimes to shell the Terps. Even at its season-worst, Maryland was an incredibly difficult out. That fact can give head coach John Tillman solace as the Terps turn their attention forward.
Their next opponent, No. 6 Penn State, require that attention. The Nittany Lions held the No. 2 spot that now belongs to Maryland before losing to Ohio State. Penn State remains a potent team that can cause problems — just ask No. 1 Cornell, whose only loss came at the hands of the Nittany Lions.
Maryland and Penn State will both look for their first conference win at SECU Stadium on Saturday. The game is set to begin at noon and will air on Big Ten Network.
Penn State Nittany Lions (6-2, 0-1 Big Ten)
Head coach Jeff Tambroni took over at Penn State in 2011 — the same year Tillman came to Maryland. However, the two coaches have taken different paths since. While Tillman has eight championship game appearances, Tambroni and Penn State have appeared in the tournament just five times over that span.
Two of those five NCAA Tournament appearances came back-to-back in 2023 and 2024. Penn State posted identical 11-5 records, culminating in the program’s second-ever Final Four appearance in 2023.
Players to know
Matt Traynor, senior midfielder/attacker, No. 22 — Traynor missed two Penn State wins in mid-March, but the Nittany Lions are undoubtedly a better team with the veteran playing. A switch this season from midfield to attack has benefitted Traynor — the Tewaaraton Watch List nominee has at least four points in five of his six games and is top in the Big Ten with 4.7 points per game.
Hunter Aquino, freshman midfielder, No. 23 — Aquino has exploded onto the scene at Penn State, quickly becoming an indispensable part of the Nittany Lions rotation. The 6-foot-4 four-star recruit, per Inside Lacrosse, is second on Penn State with 26 points on the season and has been recognized as Big Ten Freshman of the Week three times in eight weeks.
Jack Fracyon, senior goalkeeper, No. 11 — Fracyon had a stellar junior year, winning Big Ten Specialist of the Year and being named a second team and third team All-American by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association and Inside Lacrosse, respectively. His save percentage has dropped from 57.1% to 52% this season, but he is allowing nearly one fewer goal per game.
Strength
Midfield depth. The Nittany Lions’ abundance of talent in the midfield has allowed them to shift Traynor up top without skipping a beat. And this quality comes with experience — aside from the freshman Aquino, Ethan Long (senior), Luke Walstrum (senior) and Jack Aimone (graduate) all have 14-plus points for Penn State.
Weakness
Faceoff depth. The Nittany Lions have a very solid faceoff man in Colby Baldwin, whose 59% win percentage is 15th in the nation. Behind him, though, the Nittany Lions are thin — only 37 faceoffs have been taken by backups, who have a combined 43.2% win percentage. If Baldwin gets figured out early or commits violations, Penn State likely will not pivot well.
Three things to know
1. Maryland owns all-time advantage. The Terps and the Nittany Lions have played 44 times, with Maryland winning 42 of the meetings. However, the Terps are on a losing streak — they dropped their most recent contest, a 19-9 beatdown in last year’s Big Ten Tournament semifinals.
2. Penn State’s power play is potent. The Nittany Lions have drawn 29 extra-man opportunities and converted 13 of them, with both figures top of the Big Ten. However, Maryland has committed just eleven penalties and conceded just one shorthanded goal. The clash between the unstoppable force and the immovable object will be one to watch.
3. Senior Day celebrations on tap. The Terps only have two home games remaining this season, with celebrations set to take place on Saturday. Fourteen Maryland players — including career Terps Eric Spanos, Colin Burlace and Zach Whittier — will be recognized after the game.