Maryland 2024

[jff97]

It's been more than a week since the Terps season ended against Army, so figured it was time to make a new thread. Overall, the season had some nice moments, but too much inexperience and injuries to get back to the Final Four. Here's a brief look at how things stand with this team right now.
Definite Key Losses: Makar, Geppert, Long and Lacey are out of eligibility. Trader appears to be going back to focusing solely on football.
Offense: Lot of pieces returning and Malever comes back. Just need to figure out how the pieces to get the right balance of dodgers and finishers. Can't have two players on attack who struggle to dodge and then a passive midfield like the first line was at times this year. Exicted to see how Erksa, Spanos and Whittier continue to grow. Erksa looks like a future #1 to me.
Defense: Zappitello will be healthy, and they could put him, Burlace and Schaller at close D. Defensive midfield has a few more questions. Need another LSM after McDonald. Maybe Redd can pick up a pole again but that means you have to replace 3 SSDMs. Maybe Larkin fits in here after redshirting. Kolar and Redd is a good place to start for short sticks, but they obviously need two more. Wicks and Gibbons both saw some time, but didn't stand out on defense.
Specialists: The big question here is when will McNaney return. Returning for the fall from a February knee injury would mean a pretty quick recovery, so that's something to monitor. Ruppel had some good games, but probably not enough to make this a legit competition between the two. Wierman is back, and maybe he'll be able to get a little rest with 5-star freshman Creter coming in.
New players: I'm sure there will be a few transfers. It is John Tillman after all. 2023 recruiting class isn't great. Just 8 players,with Creter (IL #17) as the only 5-star and Stobaugh (IL #24), Gravino (IL #41) and McPherson listed as four-stars. Creter and Stobaugh were selected to the All-American game in the first two waves of selections.
If (and it's a big if) this team stays healthy, they definitely have Memorial Day weekend potential.

[masondixonlax]

Do we really need to rush McNaney back for fall ball? Makes more sense if he takes his time and just returns next February when the season begins. It’s not like he’s new to the Maryland system

[10stone5]

Maybe Larkin fits in here after redshirting.

Larkin is someone I was really looking forward to seeing,
a free flowing long stick mid,

hopefully whatever injuries he had haven’t set him too far back.
I thought he was a sure-fire top 10-15 incoming impact freshman.

[Seahawk]

I hope that Onagi and Aitken also get good looks on O next year

[AreaLax]

Offense
My understanding the only lost from the past season will be Long.
The following being are projected to be back
Erksa, Kelly, Murphy, Koras, Spanos, Whittier, Maltz, Brennan, Siracusa
Coming back from injury Malever
There were some freshman that did not see the field so going with that they red-shirt. Will be interesting to see how they fit in.

Attack most likely Malever, Erksa and Kelly(?)

FO
Weirman, Keethler, Lloyd and incoming Creter

SSDM
Redd, Kolar, Coffman . ?? There were others but of these were the primary players. Gibbons said his goodbyes on IG.

Defense /LSD
Ajax, Schaller, Burlace, McDonald
Red-shirt Larkin

Goalies
Ruppel, McNaney, Schmidt, Pfieffer. No incoming goalie recruit. When will McNaney be ready to play?

Incoming
Brown - defense
Creter - FO
Falkenstein - Midfield
Gravino - Midfield
Hauhuth - Attack
McPherson (Canada) - Attack
Stobaugh - Midfield
Waddell - Midfield

[PulpExposure]

I don't think they'll run two lefties at attack (Malevar and Kelly). I'm thinking Erksa at X, Malevar at lefty attack, and then Spanos or Maltz or someone at righty. I really like the idea of Malevar and Erksa on the field at the same time because now you have two dodging and passing threats on the field which should open things up.

I really hope Tills just doesn't grandfather Brennan into first middie playing time, because his play last year didn't warrant that at all....

[GaitsRightHand]

I haven't seen anyone mention Dante Trader as a returning SSDM, is he not playing next year?

[AreaLax]

I haven't seen anyone mention Dante Trader as a returning SSDM, is he not playing next year?

He put an IG post this week strongly implying that he would be focusing on football

[keno in reno]

New players: I'm sure there will be a few transfers. It is John Tillman after all. 2023 recruiting class isn't great. Just 8 players,with Creter (IL #17) as the only 5-star and Stobaugh (IL #24), Gravino (IL #41) and McPherson listed as four-stars. Creter and Stobaugh were selected to the All-American game in the first two waves of selections.
If (and it's a big if) this team stays healthy, they definitely have Memorial Day weekend potential.

The Tillman line is stale. He probably cost the team another tournament run this year because he didn't get the quality or quantity of transfers that UVA, ND, Georgetown, Hopkins and all the other teams got. There isn't a D1 coach in this country who would not take transfers that improve his chances of winning.

As for the recruiting rankings; they are fun to read but don't mean too much on an individual basis (massive classes of top recruits like UVA and Duke usually get do make a difference, where some hit and some miss). The experts couldn't identify Erksa as a top 100 recruit and Zappitello was around 70. Conversely, there are several 5 star recruits on most top teams who look totally average in college.

There are numerous areas/positions that can be upgraded next year; we'll see if and how it's achieved. For the first time ever, we have to get better just to compete with Michigan.

[GaitsRightHand]

I haven't seen anyone mention Dante Trader as a returning SSDM, is he not playing next year?

He put an IG post this week strongly implying that he would be focusing on football

Oh gotcha. Missed this one. Unfortunate for UMD, he had an awesome season and got HM AA.

[GaitsRightHand]

New players: I'm sure there will be a few transfers. It is John Tillman after all. 2023 recruiting class isn't great. Just 8 players,with Creter (IL #17) as the only 5-star and Stobaugh (IL #24), Gravino (IL #41) and McPherson listed as four-stars. Creter and Stobaugh were selected to the All-American game in the first two waves of selections.
If (and it's a big if) this team stays healthy, they definitely have Memorial Day weekend potential.

The Tillman line is stale. He probably cost the team another tournament run this year because he didn't get the quality or quantity of transfers that UVA, ND, Georgetown, Hopkins and all the other teams got. There isn't a D1 coach in this country who would not take transfers that improve his chances of winning.

As for the recruiting rankings; they are fun to read but don't mean too much on an individual basis (massive classes of top recruits like UVA and Duke usually get do make a difference, where some hit and some miss). The experts couldn't identify Erksa as a top 100 recruit and Zappitello was around 70. Conversely, there are several 5 star recruits on most top teams who look totally average in college.

There are numerous areas/positions that can be upgraded next year; we'll see if and how it's achieved. For the first time ever, we have to get better just to compete with Michigan.

Agreed. Take these rankings with a grain of salt. Ty Xanders never played meaningful lacrosse and is ranking them based on Top D1 Recruit boards, top high school/club programs, or daddy's wallet.

Braden Erksa was a 2021 recruit originally. Was not ranked. Reclassed at IMG for class of 2022. Still not ranked... The freshman power 100 that came out in the fall didn't have him as a top 100 freshman. I'd say he was the top freshman this year when it's all said and done. He led #4 team in the nation in points and was their #1 dodger.

[PulpExposure]

I haven't seen anyone mention Dante Trader as a returning SSDM, is he not playing next year?

He put an IG post this week strongly implying that he would be focusing on football

And Brian Ruppel commented "Been a pleasure. Gonna miss my guy." So that's pretty clear.

[GaitsRightHand]

I haven't seen anyone mention Dante Trader as a returning SSDM, is he not playing next year?

He put an IG post this week strongly implying that he would be focusing on football

And Brian Ruppel commented "Been a pleasure. Gonna miss my guy." So that's pretty clear.

Wasn't mentioned prior on this thread and I was curious as to why his name wasn't bouncing around. Makes sense.
I guess I have to start following players for the inside scoop.

[Wheels]

I don't think they'll run two lefties at attack (Malevar and Kelly). I'm thinking Erksa at X, Malevar at lefty attack, and then Spanos or Maltz or someone at righty. I really like the idea of Malevar and Erksa on the field at the same time because now you have two dodging and passing threats on the field which should open things up.

I really hope Tills just doesn't grandfather Brennan into first middie playing time, because his play last year didn't warrant that at all....

Funny story. I thought Eric was left handed, too. I asked him a couple of weeks ago after seeing him practicing alley dodge shots right handed which was his natural strong hand. Right.

I seriously thought he was a left and was surprised to learn otherwise.

[PulpExposure]

I don't think they'll run two lefties at attack (Malevar and Kelly). I'm thinking Erksa at X, Malevar at lefty attack, and then Spanos or Maltz or someone at righty. I really like the idea of Malevar and Erksa on the field at the same time because now you have two dodging and passing threats on the field which should open things up.

I really hope Tills just doesn't grandfather Brennan into first middie playing time, because his play last year didn't warrant that at all....

Funny story. I thought Eric was left handed, too. I asked him a couple of weeks ago after seeing him practicing alley dodge shots right handed which was his natural strong hand. Right.

I seriously thought he was a left and was surprised to learn otherwise.

Wow seriously? He's so good with his left. Then I get why you said Kelly...have Malevar play righty attack.

[Terpslax1991]

One guy at SSDM not mentioned is Coffman. A couple years back he was on the verge of being special.

2 knee injuries could hurt but he was a really good player who could return.

McPherson (incoming freshman) is Canadian and is pretty highly thought of as well. If we hit the portal I would imagine it’s for a couple of shorties but if a great alley dodger is in the portal I am all in. It looks like to me the IMG middie is that kind of guy, looks like Dobson from ND. I think he’s an impact guy.

[AreaLax]

Me bad. Hearing Coffman is coming back. He posted an IG

[AreaLax]

Victor, with incoming freshman Thomas Gravino (34), takes on Churchville-Chili to start the Section V B playoffs tonight at 7pm.

[PulpExposure]

One guy at SSDM not mentioned is Coffman. A couple years back he was on the verge of being special.

2 knee injuries could hurt but he was a really good player who could return.

McPherson (incoming freshman) is Canadian and is pretty highly thought of as well. If we hit the portal I would imagine it’s for a couple of shorties but if a great alley dodger is in the portal I am all in. It looks like to me the IMG middie is that kind of guy, looks like Dobson from ND. I think he’s an impact guy.

It's a small class but I think there are roles for a lot of these kids. Stobaugh has an absolute hammer of a shot from outside. Creter looks to be Wierman's heir - and he can really score. He's not only Central Hunterdon's FO guy (he never had a game in HS where he won less than 56% of draws, which is absurd), he's also their leading scorer with 44 goals and 9 assists. Gravino really looks good. One of my friends kids plays against Everest and said McPherson is just smart and smooth as an offensive player. And Falkenstein (kid from Malvern Prep) is an absolute horse, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him step into a SSDM/transition role for the Terps at some point.

There's a good influx of talent there for the Terps, mainly at midfield, which was needed.

[AreaLax]

Wave 3 was just released of who is invited to play at former Under Armor Senior All-America Lacrosse Game.
Thomas Gravino, Victor (N.Y.), Maryland
Sean Creter, Hunterdon Central (N.J.), Maryland
Elijah Stobaugh, IMG Academy (Fla.), Maryland