In the 15 seasons since head coach John Tillman took over the No. 1 Maryland men’s lacrosse program, both of its national championships followed a year in which it finished as runner-up.
The Terps’ two national titles under Tillman — 2017 and 2022 — came after falling just short in the previous year in 2016 and 2021. Maryland will look to repeat that formula after back-to-back years of losing in the national championship game.
The Terps returned to the biggest stage last season for the 11th time to face off against Cornell, but fell 13-10.
With the 2026 season on the horizon, Maryland will be on a revenge tour to get back to the championship game. The Terps will look to take home their third title in the Tillman era.
Maryland is ranked No. 1 in the country by both USA Lacrosse and Inside Lacrosse’s pre-season rankings.
Despite lofty expectations for this season, the Terps have all the weapons to reach those goals.
Leading the way on offense for Maryland this season will be attacker Eric Spanos. Returning for his final season after leading the Terps with 36 goals and 19 assists last year. Spanos will don Maryland’s cherished No. 1 jersey, taking over from Logan McNaney and continuing the tradition. Following a 2025 Big Ten first team selection, Spanos is a pre-season third team All-American from USA Lacrosse.
Spanos put in a valiant effort in the Terps’ loss to Cornell in the championship. His two goals jointly led the team, and he tacked on two of the team’s four assists.
High school teammates defender Will Schaller and midfielder Eric Kolar join Spanos as USA Lacrosse preseason All-Americans.
Schaller is the reigning Big Ten defensive player of the year and one of the top players in the country, being ranked No. 2 overall by Inside Lacrosse. Schaller will anchor a Terps defense as the only returning starter on defense from last year’s team.
Kolar will help assist Schaller as one of the top defensive units in the country. The short stick defensive midfielder has been teammates with Schaller since they were high school seniors at The Hill School in Pennsylvania. Kolar is also one of the top players in the country and is ranked No. 30 by Inside Lacrosse.
Despite the two returning defenders being among the best players in the country, the back end will look to bounce back from an unfortunate end to last season.
Maryland’s defense was unable to stop Cornell’s offense in the national championship, as 2025 Tewaaraton winner CJ Kirst scored six times against the Terps.
This season, no player in the country will be as dominant as Kirst was last season. But, Schaller and Kolar will look to shut down every opposing attacker they face.
Despite some key losses, including six starters from last year’s team, the returning production will be key.
While being led by Spanos, Schaller and Kolar, the Terps return many important players. Six of the nine players who scored or assisted in last year’s championship game will be back in College Park.
The Terps 2025 second points leader, Braden Erska and returning midfielder Zach Whittier each scored two goals against Cornell in the loss.
Jack Schultz and Elijah Stobaugh also scored in the game and will return to the Terps for their sophomore and junior seasons, respectively.
AJ Larkin had one of four assists in the game as well and will be back for his senior season with Maryland.
Adding to the familiarity from last season, the Terps play the exact same schedule in 2026 as last season, with the only difference being the order of conference play.
After finishing the regular season 10-2 in 2025, the returning Terps will look to lead the 2026 revenge tour to even greater heights than they accomplished the previous year.
