Previewing Maryland’s 2020 men’s college lacrosse schedule

The Maryland Terrapins are the 60th team in our 2020 men’s college lacrosse schedule preview series and the fifth team from the Big Ten. Maryland finished 12-5 overall in 2019 and 3-2 in Big Ten play. After losing to Johns Hopkins in the Big Ten semifinals, the Terrapins defeated Towson on the road in overtime before falling to Virginia in a controversial game that was decided in overtime.

Here’s their entire 2020 schedule:

Who’s In?

• High Point Panthers (2/1)
• Virginia Cavaliers (3/14)

Who’s Out?

• Bucknell Bison (11-6 W)
• Colgate Raiders (11-6 W)

Circle These Dates

• 2/8 at Richmond: Maryland was able to take this early season showdown, but things got interesting late. The Spiders shrunk a six-goal deficit to a single goal with 2:01 left in regulation. But the Terps were able to hold on for the win. Maryland will need to find a way to stop Ryan Lanchbury, who could be one of the more underrated attackmen in the country.
• 2/15 vs. Penn: Another early season nail-biter, but this time it went to overtime. And this time, the Quakers came back in the fourth quarter to take a one-goal lead before Logan Wisnauskas tied it to force OT. Roman Puglise was able to win it just 18 seconds into the extra session. This should be an early top 10 or top five matchup.
• 3/14 vs. Virginia: These two teams are meeting in the regular season for the first time since 2014, the last year Maryland was in the ACC. They met in the NCAA Quarterfinals last season in Hempstead where the Cavaliers scored six straight goals to finish their comeback. But the game-tying goal was the most controversial, with Michael Kraus’ shot being called a goal by the referees even though the shot clearly hit the outside of the crossbar.
• 3/29 at Penn State: Many were expecting at least a second meeting between the Big Ten foes last year, but we only got the regular season matchup in College Park. Penn State got out to an explosive 8-1 start in the opening quarter, but cooled off for over a quarter and a half. The Terrapins scored six straight to get to within a goal, but a 3-0 Nittany Lion run gave them the breathing room they needed. Players such as Grant Ament, Mac O’Keefe, and Gerard Arceri are all back for Penn State.
• 4/12 vs. Ohio State: The Buckeyes were one of the best teams in the country prior to Big Ten play. They were still good in conference action, but couldn’t find ways to beat the top teams. In their matchup with Maryland, Ohio State went on a 7-2 run to take a one-goal lead with 3:40 left in regulation. But Wisnauskas was able to tie the game with 23 seconds left to force overtime, where Jared Bernhardt put home a controversial game-winning goal that some thought was a crease violation. That game ended up becoming pivotal for the Buckeyes who ended up finishing last in the conference.
• 4/25 at Johns Hopkins: The Rivalry hasn’t been too kind to Maryland recently. After beating the Blue Jays in triple overtime in the 2018 regular season to win their fourth straight showdown, the Terps have lost the last three games to Hopkins, including both meetings last year by five goals each. Maryland looks to start a new winning streak in 2020, but will have to find a way to limit Joey Epstein and his production on offense after recording 11 total points in the two games.