No. 12 Maryland men’s lacrosse was expected to boast one of the nation’s most potent offenses. Seven games into the 2026 campaign, it hasn’t delivered.
The Terps’ attack sits 36th in the country with 11.4 goals per game. But that doesn’t tell the full story. Outside of their 19-goal outing to open the season, they have netted just 61 goals in six games.
After consecutive double-digit scoring performances, Maryland opened Big Ten play hoping to carry over some momentum. Instead, the Terps displayed
their worst offensive outing of the year, scoring a season-low six goals in their 10-6 defeat at then-No. 9 Penn State. Even with the return of Eric Spanos, it didn’t matter.
While it had a chance to complete its improbable comeback, Maryland ultimately fell short in the closing seven minutes. Still, the Terps wouldn’t have been in that position without Brian Ruppel. The netminder’s fourth consecutive game with double-digit saves kept the Terps in striking distance — seven of his 11 stops came in the first half.
With four games remaining in the regular season, Maryland’s margin of error to reach the NCAA Tournament is slim. The Terps need to be nearly perfect against their remaining Big Ten opponents. That stretch starts on Saturday, as Maryland travels to Michigan. The game begins at 2 p.m. and will air on Big Ten Network.
Michigan Wolverines (3-6, 0-1 Big Ten)
2025 record: 7-7, 3-2 Big Ten
When head coach Kevin Conry took over Michigan in 2017, the task at hand was daunting. The Wolverines had won just two conference games in the program’s first seven years and needed a change to keep pace in a loaded Big Ten conference.
Conry quickly fulfilled expectations. He led the Wolverines to a pair of Big Ten Tournament titles and consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. But Conry’s underwhelming 56-62 record at the helm overshadows his successful two-year run. He has just one other winning season — an 8-6 record in his first year.
His progress has quickly unraveled. After a seven-win 2025 season, the Wolverines are on track for their worst year since 2021. While ranked losses to then-No. 11 Army, then-No. 17 Denver, then-No. 5 Harvard and No. 1 Notre Dame were understandable, a one-goal home defeat to Lehigh leaves Conry under pressure to right the ship in the final four games.
Players to watch
Nick Roode, junior attacker, No. 15 — A four-star class of 2023 recruit, Roode was touted as one of the program’s most promising freshmen. But his first two seasons in Ann Arbor were rocky. Roode saw the field in just 13 combined games, totaling 17 points in his sophomore campaign.
However, that hype has been on full display this season. Roode has shouldered Michigan’s scoring production with a team-high 23 goals, and he’s also contributed five assists. His efficiency is remarkable too — he’s only fired 37 shots at the cage.
Luke Shannehan, freshman attacker, No. 29 — Shannehan quickly burst onto the national scene after his electric collegiate debut. While it came against the second-worst Division I team in Mercyhurst, his seven-point outing was a sign of his potential. Shannehan has formed a one-two punch with Roode, netting the second-most goals (19) and points (26).
Tay Rodriguez, freshman faceoff specialist, No. 17 — The Wolverines’ loaded freshman class has been a bright spot this season, and Rodriguez is another one of those pieces. Despite only corralling 50.8% of his bouts at X as the team’s top faceoff man, he is fifth in the Big Ten with 3.8 ground balls per game.
Strength
Clearing. Not much has gone right for Michigan in 2026, but it’s typically advanced into the attacking zone after gaining possession. The Wolverines have failed just 22 clears through seven games, fueling them to the 24th-highest clearing percentage (87.8%) nationally.
Weakness
Scoring depth. Michigan’s offense has been inconsistent outside of Roode and Shannehan. The duo have combined for nearly 42% of the team’s attacking production. While the Wolverines have 27 goalscorers, their third option is unclear. That has allowed some elite teams to slow down Michigan.
Three things to watch
1. Must-win game. With the quality of the Big Ten, there are no easy victories for Maryland remaining. But Saturday’s contest is likely the Terps’ best chance at avoiding the program’s second winless conference slate. Maryland’s final three games come against ranked teams, increasing the pressure to deliver a bounce-back performance.
2. Creating extra possessions. The Terps lost the faceoff battle for the first time all season in their Big Ten opener. Against an inexperienced faceoff specialist, Henry Dodge and Jonah Carrier should find success. That coupled with limited turnovers will give Maryland’s attack more opportunities to get into a groove.
3. Defensive scheme. The Terps switched to a zone last week, and it helped them hold Penn State to three goals in the final 41 minutes. While Maryland doesn’t have the defensive talent to keep up with some of the offenses it has faced, playing zone should erase the close-range looks Brian Ruppel has had to navigate this season.
