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One can indirectly pinpoint Maryland’s hiring of John Tillman to the waning of Syracuse’s national title pedigree. Tillman, the Terrapins’ head coach since 2011, hasn’t lost to the Orange since he took over. He’s 6-0, including a 3-0 mark against SU head coach Gary Gait.

The last time Syracuse beat Maryland? Try 2009, the year of its last NCAA Championship.

This season, though, Gait’s Orange are better equipped than ever to finally take down Tillman’s elite program. Syracuse travels to College Park, Maryland, for a top-10 showdown with the Terrapins Saturday afternoon. SU will enter SECU Stadium after three straight home wins, most recently crushing No. 16 Towson 18-7, while UMD is coming off an 8-7 overtime win over Loyola last week.

Here’s what to know before No. 2 Syracuse (3-0, 0-0 Atlantic Coast) battles No. 6 Maryland (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten):

All-time series

Maryland leads 14-6.

Last time they played …

On Feb. 17, 2024, the Orange lost a gut-wrenching overtime battle to the Terrapins in the JMA Wireless Dome, falling 13-12. The story of the game wasn’t George Stamos’ overtime game-winner for Maryland, though. A video review controversy marred the thrilling finish.

Late in overtime, SU midfielder Michael Leo scored what was thought to be the game-winner, muscling near UMD goalie Logan McNaney before burying the close shot. But upon official review, Leo was called for a crease violation. Leo was pushed in the process, though NCAA rules state spotting additional contact on video isn’t enough to reverse a call.

“There’s work to be done,” Gait said postgame, lamenting the replay rule. “There’s been several times already this year, in a young year, where the refs have come to me and said, ‘The player was pushed in the back, but we’re not allowed to make that call off review.’”

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The Terrapins report

Maryland is off to an expected 2-0 start, though it’s yet to come close to playing its best lacrosse. The Terrapins defeated then-No. 18 Richmond 12-7 in their Feb. 1 season-opener, but needed overtime to squeak by Loyola, an unranked, in-state foe.

Tillman’s squad is obviously formidable. But the glaring loss of star long pole Ajax Zappitello makes them instantly worse defensively. Zappitello was the best defender in college lacrosse, earning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors and a Tewaaraton nomination. He was picked third overall by the Maryland Whipsnakes in the 2024 Premier Lacrosse League Draft.

Zappitello’s replacements include senior Colin Burlace, who leads the Terrapins with three caused turnovers. Junior defender Will Schaller is also seeing more time in the back end after making four starts in 2024. Maryland held each of its first two opponents to a meager seven goals, boosted by its graduate student goalie McNaney (.649 save percentage).

UMD’s attack is led by fifth-year Daniel Kelly, who leads the team with five goals through two contests. But Braden Erksa, the Terrapins’ leading point-getter with 41 in 2024, has totaled just four points this season. And their top goal scorer from last year, Daniel Maltz, has graduated.

How Syracuse defeats Maryland

The Orange need to play a complete game from start to finish. Far too many times last year, they put together brutal stretches of play that led to a loss. SU most notably allowed a seven-goal run late in the second half of its blown lead disaster against Cornell. But even versus Maryland, Syracuse trailed 5-2 after the first quarter and had to play catch-up for the remainder.

A tone-setting start on the road would do wonders for the Orange. They also need to get Joey Spallina active in the offense early. To do so, they need to draw pressure from him. Syracuse’s vast set of offensive artillery gives it options both in set pieces and downhill dodging in transition. Guys like Luke Rhoa, Finn Thomson and Leo must continue producing at a high level to diversify SU’s offense, leading to UMD giving Spallina one-on-one looks.

Stat to know: 4

Rhoa, who’s on a torrid run to begin this season, unleashed a team-high four goals in Syracuse’s battle with Maryland last year. Now, as a junior, he’s second on the Orange with eight goals through their first three games.

The offensive-minded midfielder’s performance could serve as a major boost for SU’s chances at ending its losing streak to UMD. Rhoa has the potential to crush the Terrapins’ short-sticks and showed off his lethal ability to rip goals from long distance, a skill that’s hard for anyone to fend off.

Player to watch: Braden Erksa, attack, No. 10

Erksa should grow into the focal point of Maryland’s offense once again. He led the Terrapins in points as a freshman with 48 (26 goals, 22 assists) — one of three UMD freshmen to ever do so — then topped their points leaderboard again in his sophomore year. His rather quiet start to 2025 can be credited to a defensive emphasis that’s placed on him at all times.

Against Syracuse last season, Erksa destroyed its long poles. He tallied six points split by four goals and two assists, spearheading Maryland’s offense throughout its overtime victory. If he can get his mojo back against SU’s back end, Erksa versus the likes of Billy Dwan III and Riley Figueiras will be a marquee matchup.

Published on February 12, 2025 at 11:31 pm

Contact Cooper at: ccandrew@syr.edu | @cooper_andrews