John Tillman has lost consecutive nonconference games just three times over his 16-year tenure in College Park. But in a season of chaos — four of the top 10 teams lost last week — No. 9 Maryland men’s lacrosse is in uncharted territory.
The Terps are off to their worst start since 2016 and dropped games to a pair of opponents they hadn’t lost to in a combined 39 years. While both were close defeats, it never felt like they stood a chance at completing a comeback.
But with the nation’s top transfer
group and one of the best freshman classes, the talent is there for Maryland to right the ship. It’ll need to do so quickly, as No. 2 Notre Dame comes to SECU Stadium on Saturday fresh off a dominant top-10 win.
That game begins at noon, and will stream on Big Ten Plus.
No. 2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3-0, 0-0 ACC)
2025 record: 9-5, 3-1 ACC
Head coach Kevin Corrigan has turned Notre Dame into one of the nation’s premier programs. The longest active Division I men’s lacrosse coach — 38 years at the helm — delivered the program’s first national title in 2023. Then, he did it again in 2024.
Last season was a major step backwards. But that was partially expected with Tewaaraton Award winner Pat Kavanagh departing. The Fighting Irish suffered losses to then-No. 2 Maryland and then-No. 15 Ohio State before winning five of their final six regular season games. Early exits in both postseason tournaments capped off a disappointing year.
With a reloaded roster, Notre Dame is back in the national title conversation. The Fighting Irish have won three games by a combined 30 goals, including a comfortable victory over then-No. 4 Georgetown. It only gets harder from here, though. Notre Dame plays seven more teams currently in the top 15 this regular season.
Players to know
Shawyn Lyght, junior defender, No. 90 — Just a four-star recruit in the 2023 class, Lyght quickly exceeded expectations as a freshman. He played a pivotal role in Notre Dame’s national title run.
The 2025 All-American first-team nominee has clamped some of the country’s top attackers with his physicality and elite one-on-one defense. Lyght should draw the challenge of slowing down either Eric Spanos or Leo Johnson.
Josh Yago, graduate attacker, No. 12 — After a stellar senior campaign at Air Force with 24 goals and 30 assists, Yago was a highly sought out player in the transfer portal. He’s lived up to the billing. Yago has a team-high nine goals and dished out four assists, alleviating some of the scoring pressure with the departure of the Kavanagh brothers.
Aidan Diaz-Matos, freshman faceoff specialist, No. 9 — Heading into the 2026 season, Notre Dame’s primary faceoff spot was wide open. Tyler Spano transferred in as the Division III Faceoff Player of the Year — he was a good option to assume that role. But that’s been far from the case.
Diaz-Matos took 21 of the 28 bouts at X against then-No. 4 Georgetown, and he won 11 of them. Inside Lacrosse’s No. 7-ranked player in the class of 2025 has a 58% faceoff win rate and has scooped up a team-high 16 ground balls.
Strength
Scoring depth. The Fighting Irish lead the country with 20 goals per game. While Yago is the top goalscorer, Notre Dame has six players with at least five goals on the year, and 17 players have found the back of the net. That’s what makes its offense so dangerous and hard to slow down.
Weakness
Net protection. Thomas Ricciardelli hasn’t been called upon often through the first three games. But opponents have found success when they’ve fired shots off. Ricciardelli has allowed 24 goals and only managed 22 stops for a 47.8% save rate.
Maryland needs a bounceback offensive performance, and Saturday could present that opportunity.
Three things to watch
1. How does the Terps’ defense fare? Maryland has played some high-powered offenses and been exposed in those games. The Terps have conceded double-digit goals in every contest. Against the nation’s top offense, Maryland will need to avoid any defensive lapses to get back in the win-column.
2. Strong start. The Terps have strung together some strong second halves, including one with 13 goals in their lone win. But consecutive poor starts have left them trailing at the break, and they aren’t equipped to come from behind. If Maryland can open an early lead, it may find success on Saturday.
3. Battle of balanced faceoff units. Maryland and Notre Dame have relied on a committee approach at the X. Jonah Carrier and Henry Dodge have split time and been successful, winning the faceoff battle in two of the three games. Diaz-Matos and Spano are not slouches either. Saturday’s game could be won in the faceoff department.
