When No. 14 North Carolina travels to No. 3 Maryland this weekend for a US Lacrosse Magazine Game of the Week, two teams with three losses by a combined four goals this season look to establish superiority in this historic rivalry.
Maryland enters 7-1, while UNC is 6-2. Maryland lost 14-13 in overtime to Notre Dame on March 3, and UNC’s two losses were 11-10 and 12-10 to Johns Hopkins and Denver, respectively. Quality losses, but losses all the same.
In Terps coach John Tillman’s opinion, this game should prove as a barometer for where both squads stand with a week left in March.
“Games like this are a good measuring stick for, where are you?” said Tillman, whose team defeated UNC last March, 11-7. “How much better have you gotten since early February?”
NO. 14 NORTH CAROLINA AT NO. 3 MARYLAND
WHEN: Saturday, March 23, 4 p.m.
WATCH: ESPNU
When it comes to UNC, Tillman said the Tar Heels have so much offensive depth that, “If you get fixed on your guy or one guy, it’s going to open up something for somebody else.”
Roman Puglise, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this month, will be one of Maryland’s many defensive keys. The unit must be at its best against an offense that can run 10-12 players deep based on which matchups UNC coach Joe Breschi chooses to exploit.
Five players on the roster have tallied at least 15 points, headlined by the trio of Andy Matthews (12 assists), William Perry (17 goals) and Timmy Kelly (nine goals, 11 assists). The UNC ride creates opportunities for UNC to shoot a high percentage. Tillman said the Tar Heels can catch defenses out of sync because of their aggression.
“If they’re getting unsettled opportunities, your team defense isn’t going to be the same,” Tillman said. “Clearing is important.”
At the same time, that aggression can lead to open windows on offense that must be capitalized on, Tillman said.
Over the last 15 meetings, Maryland holds an 8-7 edge. With 20 combined national championship appearances and seven combined national titles, there’s a rich history in this rivalry.
“I think there are enough guys on the roster that grew up going to these games and dreaming of playing in games like this,” Tillman said. “Both programs have great teams and great tradition.”
Another chapter will be penned on Saturday.