Welcome to the Gameday Guide.

Every weekend during the college lacrosse season, US Lacrosse Magazine staff will riff here on the juiciest matchups, trendiest topics, biggest storylines and hottest takes.

Two-thirds of the way through Maryland’s contest last weekend against Rutgers, it looked like the game of the year. The Terrapins dismissed that notion, and the Scarlet Knights, with a six-goal run in the fourth quarter.

They outscored Rutgers 8-2 in the final frame to seal a 19-12 win. The result solidified Maryland’s spot atop the Big Ten, which will wrap up the first half of its conference only slate this weekend.

Attention now turns to who’s No. 2 in a conference that will likely get two bids to the NCAA tournament. Rutgers is the clear front runner but will take on a Hopkins team that is trending positively. After a fitful start to Peter Milliman’s first season, the Blue Jays had a statement win against Penn State.

It’s the game to watch this weekend.

Check out our TV Listings page for all games being broadcast or streamed.

GAMES TO WATCH
All times Eastern

GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 7 Rutgers at No. 15 Johns Hopkins

With no ACC matchups with weekend, the Big Ten should get top billing. The Blue Jays soared past Penn State last weekend at Homewood Field after 9-0 run in the third quarter that led to a 13-6 win. Rutgers, which looked unstoppable in its opening three wins, will look to bounce back after it fell to Maryland 19-12 last weekend — despite hanging close to the Terrapins for three quarters.

UPSET WATCH
No. 16 Penn State at Michigan

Besides Penn State’s 15-13 win over Ohio State on March 6, the Nittany Lions have struggled to find their identity on offense and struggled to find the back of the net, too. In losses to Rutgers, Maryland and Johns Hopkins, Penn State (1-3) averaged 7.33 goals and never broke double digits.

Michigan (0-4) played its closest game of the year Sunday, ultimately falling 13-10 at Ohio State. Freshman Michael Boehm (eight goals, five assists) and sophomore Josh Zawada (eight goals, three assists) lead the Wolverines in scoring.

BEST GAME NO ONE’S TALKING ABOUT
Towson at No. 20 Delaware

As Patrick Stevens noted yesterday, the Blue Hens (5-1), who moved into the Top 20 this week, have averaged 16.2 goals during their five-game winning streak. Their 19 goals last weekend in a win over Drexel was their highest scoring output since 2012. Besides a pair of lopsided losses to Virginia and Duke, Towson (2-4) has proven a tough out in every other game it has played.

MILESTONE WATCH

Jimmy Perkins, Robert Morris

Robert Morris seventh-year graduate student attackman Jimmy Perkins is one point away from reaching the 100-point threshold. He’ll try to become the 17th RMU player to reach the century mark when the Colonials take on Virginia Saturday at 3 p.m.

Mac O’Keefe, Penn State

The star attackman is just one goal away from beginning only the third NCAA Division I player to score 200 career goals. O’Keefe is 13 goals behind Justin Guterding for the all-time mark.

UNDER-THE-RADAR STARS

Daniel Maltz, Maryland

Last spring, Maltz made a splash for the Terrapins, earning a starting spot on attack and scoring the third-most goals (12) on the team during the shortened season. A reliable inside presence despite his lean frame, Maltz has scored 16 goals through four games in 2021. “His hands are just so smooth,” John Tillman said earlier this week on the first episode of “Yard Sale.”

Will Mark, Long Island U.

Mark’s program-record 24 saves were a big reason for LIU’s win over Hobart last weekend.  The 6’3” sophomore from Danville (Calif.) currently leads the nation in saves per game (17.5) and ranks eighth in save percentage (.642). His 15.29 saves per game in 2020 were also the most in Division I.

Eric Rubak, Bellarmine

Through eight games, the graduate Bellarmine defenseman has 16 caused turnovers and corralled 39 ground balls (plus four goals and two assists). He also ranks second among all defensemen in Division I in Lax Reference’s Expected Goals Added (EGA) metric.