The No. 4 men’s lacrosse team is fresh off its fourth NCAA Final Four in five seasons under head coach John Tillman.
The Terps are looking to expand on last season’s success and return to the national title game, returning this time with the trophy.
“We’re fired up to get the season started as we play one of the toughest schedules we have had in some time,” Tillman said. “It’s going to be a challenge, but we have a great group of young men that have been working hard on and off the field.”
Their 2016 season features matchups against five of the seven other 2015 NCAA Quarterfinal teams, including Notre Dame and Johns Hopkins.
Maryland returns seven starters from last season, in addition to its entire defensive midfield unit. The Terps added a pair of senior transfers: Greg Danseglio (Virginia) and midfielder Pat Young (UMBC).
“In our opinion there’s a standard around here defensively that we always aspire to live up to and it’s something that will remain a priority for us,” Tillman said.
Tillman’s defense was the nation’s leader in scoring defense last season, averaging just 7.05 goals per game.
Defensive coordinator Kevin Conry was named the 2015 IMLCA Assistant Coach of the Year in December for his efforts last year.
Offensively, the Terps are excited to have four returning starters, including junior Matt Rambo who led the squad with a team-high 59 points on 40 goals and 19 assists. It was the first time a Maryland player totaled at least 40 goals since Joe Walters scored 46 as a sophomore in 2004.
“Coach Reppert has done a great job on the offensive end and we have a lot of pieces back so that it always nice to have,” Tillman said. “The experience and chemistry of our returners will play a big factor for us and it’s nice to see some of our guys grow into leadership roles.”
Maryland has won 34 of its last 35 games when scoring 10 goals or more, in addition to winning 16 of the last 17 when holding opponents to nine goals or less.
The Terps are hoping to build on last season’s success Saturday when they host Navy at 1 p.m. in College Park, Md.
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