Maryland halts Syracuse’s lacrosse title hopes with 14-8 win in Final Four clash

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Syracuse got off to a promising start Saturday as Owen Hiltz scored less than a minute into the game on the first possession. The Orange looked poised to keep rolling after a 19-goal outburst in the quarterfinals. But as the early spark faded, and so did their chances of advancing.

Nobody scored again until late in the first quarter. Then, Maryland found its rhythm and never looked back. Behind head coach John Tillman, the Terrapins controlled the game and outdueled the Orange, 14–8, to advance to the national championship.

Tillman is now 8–0 all-time against Syracuse, dating back to the 2011 national semifinal. While the Orange have seen significant change in coaching, personnel, and identity since then, the result remains the same: Maryland wins.

Photo by Ian Rempe

Maryland attack Eric Spanos (#7) scored four goals during Syracuse’s 14-8 loss to Maryland on Saturday.

This Final Four appearance was Syracuse’s first since 2013. With a sense of urgency surrounding its veteran core, this year was viewed as a critical window for the Orange to reclaim its former glory. Next season will be the final run for the 2022 recruiting class that has been central to head coach Gary Gait’s rebuild of the men’s program.

That class includes Michael Leo, who scored two goals Saturday; goalie Jimmy McCool, who notched 12 saves; and Joey Spallina, who had one of his quietest performances of the season. The junior recorded just one assist and three turnovers. That lone assist brought his season total to 90 points, which was a significant milestone, but the star would have gladly traded it for a win.

“He’d trade any individual award or stat for a team win and to be playing on Monday,” Gait said.

Despite what social media may tell you, this loss was not squarely on Spallina’s shoulders. Syracuse struggled in all facets—offense, defense, and coaching.

One of the turning points may have come early in the first quarter. McCool made a highlight-reel save on a Maryland fast break.

The tide then quickly changed when McCool took off 70 yards down the field on a clear, took a hit, and turned the ball over. McCool, visibly gassed, could only manage a jog back to the cage before giving up two quick goals, making the score 3-1 in favor of the Terps. 

In between possessions, McCool was seen taking a knee in the goal with his head down, trying to catch his breath. 

McCool would never regain his rhythm. While Gait held onto his timeout instead of giving McCool time, Tillman called a timeout when his goalie faced the same situation. Out of the timeout, Daniel Kelly scored the first of his two goals on the day. 

Photo by Ian Rempe

Syracuse midfielder Michael Leo, who netted two goals Saturday, works past a Terps player.

The missteps, compounded by a 27-minute Syracuse scoring drought, SU’s longest of the season, defined the first half of the game. And Maryland made them pay.

Defensively, Gait stuck with a passive zone throughout. With no pressure applied, the Terps bled the clock. Four of their goals came with less than 10 seconds on the shot clock.

“That’s a really good defense over there. We weren’t going to just dodge once and score,” said Maryland’s Bryce Ford, who tallied two goals. “We started to realize that our best looks were coming late in the clock.”

Even during Syracuse’s mini-runs in the third and fourth quarters, Gait declined to switch to man-to-man defense.

“We also lacked possessions. We weren’t getting the possessions to get the offense going,” Gait said.

But this is all a testament to Tillman who serves as somewhat of a mastermind coach. With a week to prepare for his opponent, he knew them better than they knew themselves. 

Photo by Ian Rempe

Owen Hiltz walks down the field following Syracuse’s 14-8 loss to Maryland on Saturday.

The notion around the lacrosse world is that if there were a week between the semifinal and final, he would have more than the two championships he already boasts. 

Syracuse showed more life in the second half. Finn Thomson, Leo, and Luke Rhoa scored in the third quarter. But Maryland answered each Orange goal immediately. A few late scores in the fourth padded the final stat sheet, but the five goals through the first three quarters told the real story.

Now, Syracuse turns its attention to 2026.

Though this loss stings, it does mark progress. In Gait’s first two seasons, the Orange missed the postseason entirely. Last year, they reached the quarterfinals. This year, the Final Four. Next year, the goal is to be playing on Memorial Day, not just the holiday weekend.

“I know they’ll put their foot down and commit even more to this team to make sure we get to the final and have a chance to win a national championship,” Gait said.

It may not feel like it after such a tough loss, but Syracuse lacrosse is back, even Tillman acknowledged that after the game.