No. 4 Maryland men’s lacrosse (4-2) will renew its rivalry with No. 1 Virginia (6-0) on Saturday as the game returns to home campus sites for the first time since 2014, when Maryland was still in the ACC. The Terps head to Charlottesville this weekend for the first time since 2013.
Another special thing about this rivalry returning to campuses is that Klockner Stadium is a grass surface instead of turf. Maryland has made adjustments in its practices throughout the week to prepare for that, practicing on grass leading up to the game.
“Whether it’s the face-off guys or the ground balls or just a footing as you’re trying to dodge or putting, if you’re trying to defend the goalies the bounce is different,” coach John Tillman said. “It’s still going to be inconsistent.”
This rivalry has been one of the most even series in Maryland history, as the Terps hold a slight 49-46 lead. The series is even 19-19 when Maryland travels onto Virginia’s home field.
Last year’s regular season game played at Audi Field set the standard as both teams entered undefeated. Virginia was the defending National Champion after spoiling Maryland’s attempt for a perfect season in 2021 in the championship, winning a thriller by one-goal, 17-16. The Terps entered the game with a chip on their shoulder and got the job done, demolishing the Cavaliers, 23-12.
That win proved that Maryland was the best lacrosse team in the country. The Terps proved that by completing the undefeated season feat a few months later, and defeated Virginia in the NCAA Tournament enroute to the national championship victory.
This year could not be more different.
Maryland suffered a couple of early season losses while Virginia’s high powered offense looks similar to the 2022 Terps offense. The Cavaliers have scored 17 or more goals in all six of their games thus far as no one has been able to slow them down yet.
“They’re a team that gets transitioned well so you really need to be careful of when you lose the ball on offense you gotta get back and stop transition,” Tillman said. “You’re trying to get back and defend those odd number situations.”
The Terps looked more like themselves in last weekend’s 16-9 victory against Albany, compiling a 35.6 shooting percentage, their highest since the season-opener. The Terps also set a new season low in turnovers with 13, but they are going to need to limit those mistakes even further against the top team in the country.
“They attack you in all phases,” Tillman said. “They’ll ride you, they’ll attack you in face-off situations, they’ll attack you in subbing situations…it still comes down to guys getting leverage…and if you don’t do a good job covering the inside they’re going to carve you up.”
While Maryland has struggled with taking advantage of its opportunities, Virginia has not. The Cavaliers also have the best shooting percentage in the country, scoring on 41.2% of their shots.
Cavaliers graduate student attacker Xander Dickson leads the team in goals with 25. The attacker scored six goals in back-to-back games against Richmond and No. 10 Johns Hopkins, and followed that up with four against Towson his last time out.
Along with Dickson, Virginia has four other players with double-digit goals on the season, including redshirt junior attacker Connor Shellenberger. Shellenberger tied his career-high with 10 points against Towson, and leads the team in assists with 24, twice as many as second place.
While Maryland’s goalkeeper situation remains a bit unsteady, Virginia has a stout goalkeeper in sophomore Matthew Nunes. The reigning ACC Freshman of the Year has made 60 saves while allowing 62 goals for a .492 save percentage over six games.
Opening face-off is set for 2 p.m.
