#5 Maryland (5-1) vs #3 Virginia (5-1)
Where: SECU Stadium
When: Saturday, March 16th at 3PM
TV: Big Ten Network
Betting Odds: Maryland +2.5, +210 Moneyline (DraftKings)
Maryland is coming off a game that some may view as a disappointing result despite the overtime win. Against the winless Brown Bears, the Terps struggled to pull away and were playing from behind most of the game. This week, they will face a much tougher task in the third-ranked Virginia Cavaliers who are coming off a 19-15 winover Towson.
Both teams played sloppier games than expected this past week. So this week will come down to whoever can bounce back as the better team. Virginia is a team that like Notre Dame, will try and force you to turn the ball over on the clear. Maryland struggled against Notre Dame clearing the ball and fixing that will be key to winning the game. Last week, Maryland turned the ball over 14 times. Like every other game, they need to clean things up offensively because Virginia is a team that if you turn the ball over and give them extra possessions, they will make you pay. Teams are turning the ball over on average 17.5 times a game against Virginia which has been a big reason for their success. Braden Erksa stepped up massively last week in the Terps comeback win with eight total points coming off of five goals and three assists. All of Erksa’s goals came in the second half once the Terps offense settled down and started to get going. While they do not need Erksa to be the lone scoring option, Erksao having a big game would be massive for the Terps offense in putting less pressure on the defense to constantly get stops to win the game.
On defense, the Terps will be looking to shut down the three headed monster that Virginia has at attack. Virginia is led by four time all-american and Tewaaraton finalist Connor Shellenberger who has 34 points on the year coming off of 14 goals and 20 assists. Shellenberger has been matched up with Ajax Zappitello every year they have played against each other and I do not expect that to change this year either. Shellenberger is the quarterback of the offense for Virginia and will look to be a pass first guy but he is still an elite scorer which makes him so tough to defend. Along with Shellenberger, Virginia has its school record holder for most goals scored all time in Payton Cormier who has 24 goals and seven assists on the season, as well as the #1 rated recruit of the 2023 class in McCabe Millon who has 18 goals and nine assists. Virginia is a fast paced team that will look to do most of their damage in transition which will be another reason why the Terps must not turn the ball over much on offense. One player not on Virginia’s attack unit to watch out for is Jack Boyden. Boyden is the reigning Division 3 national player of the year for lacrosse and transferred from Tufts University into Virginia this season and has been on their first line midfield. So far this season Boyden has eight goals and nine assists and has been Virginia’s top midfielder on offense.
One thing to look out for this Saturday is Luke Wierman’s availability. Last week, Wierman was dressed and on the sidelines but did not step onto the field once. It was never reported why he did not play against Brown. If Wierman can not go, look for Shea Keethler to take the bulk of the face-offs for the Terps.
This is a game that for the most part, no matter how good or bad either team is, it is always a physical, hard fought, close game. Last season it came down to overtime when Daniel Kelly nailed a goal to hand Virginia their first loss of the season at Virginia. This year it is at Maryland and Virginia will be looking to get revenge. The Terps and head coach John Tillman have won the last three matchups against Virginia since losing a heartbreaking 17-16 game in the National Championship in 2021.
Every year, going into the game, I expect it to be low scoring and a defensive battle. But every year, the game has ended up being a high scoring affair. So this year, I think it will be yet again another high scoring game and the Terps will continue their win streak over Virginia is a close 15-14 game where Terps goalie Logan McNaney will come away with a game winning save just like Brian Ruppel did against Virginia last season.
This will be another litmus test to see where the Terps stack up against the best of the best in the country. They will need to turn things around if they want to avoid their second loss of the season to a rival. The game is set to air on Big Ten Network and will face off at 3PM EST.
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