Excellence has been the standard for Maryland men’s lacrosse ever since head coach John Tillman arrived in College Park in 2011. In Tillman’s 13 years at the helm, the Terps have reached nine Final Fours, won two national championships and produced 85 All-America selections.
That remarkable level of success is why many observers labeled last season as a disappointment after Maryland lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to Army.
Looking to get back to a championship level this spring, Maryland welcomes the return of two key contributors from the 2022 team, which was the first undefeated national champion since 2006. Graduate goalie Logan McNaney, the Most Outstanding Player of the 2022 Final Four, had his 2023 season cut short after he suffered a torn ACL in just the second game of the campaign. He is 35-2 as the starting goalie at Maryland.
“There’s just a comforting feel of he’s been there, he’s proven, he’s played well in the big moments,” Tillman said on Glenn Clark Radio Jan. 30. “And his record speaks for itself.”
Attackman Eric Malever also returns. The redshirt junior started all 18 games in 2022, posting 26 goals and 22 assists, but missed the entire the 2023 season after suffering a torn ACL, torn MCL and fractured tibia during a fall 2022 practice.
Tillman expects Malever to be a big part of the Terps’ attack this season, but his staff will need to be careful that Malever doesn’t do too much after returning from such a gruesome injury.
“I think he’ll be an important part for us, having that experience,” Tillman said. “But we have to remember he hasn’t played in a game in two years so I think we’ve got to be realistic in terms of our expectations. … It takes a little time to get back to where you were.”
The attack brings back its three top scorers from a season ago, including leading goal-scorer Daniel Kelly (30) and top point-scorer Braden Erksa (48).
“Having [Erksa] with a year of experience with [Malever], those guys have good chemistry, they’re both from Atlanta, they’re good friends,” Tillman said.
The Terps should benefit from the continuity it has across the field since they only lost two starters from a season ago — midfielder Kyle Long and defender Brett Makar. This offseason, the famous No. 1 jersey was passed on from Makar to fellow defenseman Ajax Zappitello.
Zappitello, a two-year starter, tied Makar for the team lead with 21 caused turnovers last season.
“Since the day he’s gotten here he’s had a great approach, he’s made guys around him better,” Tillman said of Zappitello. “When you think of a guy who is a Maryland Terp on and off the field, his character, his toughness, his relentlessness, his investment, I just think Ajax is a great representative.”
Maryland’s six losses in 2023 matched its most in a season under Tillman. Though the Terps won double-digit games and reached the NCAA Tournament for a 20th consecutive season, their 10-6 record was a steep decline after posting a 33-1 combined record in 2021 and 2022.
With all of the success that Maryland has enjoyed in recent years, Tillman hopes last season served as a learning experience for his players.
“You want as many things to happen that could replicate what’s going to happen to them after they leave here,” Tillman said. “Learning how to handle success is one thing, but also handling adversity.”
Tillman isn’t making any excuses for last season’s shortcomings, pointing out that injuries are part of the game. Players and coaches have to be prepared to account for them.
“At times last year I think our guys learned when they were locked in and we were playing well, we could play as well as anybody,” Tillman said. “I think they also learned that if you don’t do little things right, or we’re not on the same page, or we’re sloppy, or another team is playing very well, we’re pretty pedestrian, we’re susceptible.”
Maryland was ranked No. 6 in the preseason media poll. The Terps open their season on Feb. 3 when they visit Richmond.
For more from Tillman, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Maryland Athletics