No. 4 Maryland men’s lacrosse downs No. 12 Loyola behind excellent defensive showing, 11-4

On Feb. 11 last season, Maryland men’s lacrosse suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of in-state rival Loyola. The loss came amidst a top ranking in the country and hopes of a national championship repeat. 

Although the Terps finished the campaign with 10 wins, they suffered multiple more crushing defeats in what became their worst season in the last decade.

No. 4 Maryland took revenge 364 days later. The Terps (2-0) defeated the Greyhounds (1-1) at SECU Stadium on Saturday, 11-4. Loyola’s four goals marked its lowest output in any game in the past seven years. 

“We weren’t perfect, but I think they had the right approach,” coach John Tillman said. “They were unselfish. And for the most part, you know, tried to do the right thing. So that’s all you can ask for in the second week of the season.”

The game started out in a deadlock for both sides, as there was no scoring within the first five minutes of the game. Despite multiple shots on goal for the Terps and Greyhounds alike, both defenses stood strong. 

But Maryland ended that streak off the back of redshirt sophomore Zach Whittier at the 9:52 mark. Whittier fired from nearly 15 yards away and struck. 

From there the floodgates opened for the Terps. They found themselves up 3-0 within the next minute and a half, thanks to goals from redshirt junior Eric Malever and senior Owen Murphy. Maryland added another score by the end of the first quarter off the stick of redshirt freshman George Stamos. 

The Terps also dominated on the defensive side, holding the Greyhounds scoreless in the first quarter despite multiple shots on goal. Goaltender Logan McNaney was on point in the crease early and throughout the game, helping hold Loyola scoreless for nearly 20 minutes. 

A significant reason for Maryland’s lackluster season last year was McNaney tearing his ACL against Loyola in Week 2. Almost a year later, and the graduate student looks fully back to health.

“I give a lot of props to our training staff, Anthony and Lindsey, and all the students working with us,” McNaney said. “They’ve been on my side, along with guys on the team. I kind of treated it just like a normal game, I don’t think about last year when I went down.”

The Greyhounds gave the Terps a scare in the second quarter despite the poor start when they scored three unanswered goals to suddenly get within one. But Tillman quickly called a timeout to stop the bleeding, as Maryland quickly came out and scored two goals thanks to graduate student Ryan Siracusa and sophomore Braden Erksa. Erksa was an instrumental part of the Terps’ offensive attack, accounting for 10 of the team’s 45 shots — three more than the next closest player. 

Maryland took a 6-3 lead into the half. It came out of the break equally dominant.

The Terps’ defense, especially McNaney, was shutting down every chance the Greyhounds created. That wasn’t something that ended quickly — Loyola was held scoreless for the entire second half until the 1:54 mark in the fourth quarter. 

Maryland’s offense went and did its job to grow a comfortable lead. The Terps scored five second-half goals, keeping the Greyhounds at a safe distance. By the game’s end 10 different Terps scored a goal, with the only repeat coming from senior Daniel Maltz. 

Maryland has thus far answered all questions that have lingered about it following last season’s disappointing finish. The Terps have now started the young season with two ranked victories, with a potential third up next on the road at No. 9 Syracuse.