Early Run Helps No. 5 Maryland Pass Spiders In Season Opener Saturday

Saturday, February 1

College Park, Md.

Noon

University of Richmond

0-1

Maryland

1-0

Richmond

Maryland

Early Run Helps No. 5 Maryland Pass Spiders In Season Opener Saturday

02/01/2025 | Men's Lacrosse

Box Score

College Park, Md. – 2024 national runner-up and fifth-ranked Maryland scored seven unanswered goals in the game's first half to pass the University of Richmond men's lacrosse team Saturday, 12-7, in the 2025 season opener at SECU Stadium.

In a game of runs, the box score remained nearly even through the first 30 minutes. However, Maryland proved more opportunistic, converting seven of its eight first-half shots on cage into goals to jump to a 7-0 lead on the No. 18 Spiders.

Aidan O'Neil, who recorded four goals on ten shots in the contest, scored Richmond's first goal of the season at 13:57 in the third quarter, ending Richmond's scoring drought. However, Maryland quickly answered with a goal off the ensuing faceoff to make it an 8-1 game.

O'Neil added his second goal at 11:37 in the third, but once again the Terrapins responded with another score less than two minutes later.

Maryland extended its lead with another goal at 2:26 in the third, marking its largest advantage of the day before adding another at the end of the third quarter to take an 11-2 lead into the final frame.

Richmond, who outscored Maryland 5-1 in the fourth quarter, got on the board first in the final frame with a goal from freshman Daniel Picart at 11:17. Picart also earned the start in his collegiate debut.

Picart's goal would start a 3-0 run for the Spiders, with Lucas Littlejohn flicking in a loose ball in front of the crease at 6:37 for his first of the season. O'Neil then secured a hat trick with his third goal of the day at 5:21.

Maryland added its last of the game at 4:45, then Littlejohn added his second off a feed across the crease from Gavin Creo to pull within six, the closest the game had been since 2:41 in the second. O'Neil added Richmond's final goal of the game— his fourth— off a one-handed cross-body shot at 1:05.

Maryland won the ground ball game, 26 to 19, and won 13 of the 21 faceoffs taken. Richmond was a perfect 16-of-16 on clears.
In cage, Zach Vigue recorded four saves and lead the team with four ground balls.

Along with Picart, several other Spiders made their Richmond debut Saturday. Mount St. Mary's transfer Mitchell Dunham (2 caused turnovers) got the start at close defense, Bucknell transfer and short-stick defensive midfielder Ethan Gyllenhaal saw action early for the Spiders, while freshman attackman Evan O'Neil and freshman defenseman Luke Spitzer made their collegiate debuts as well.

The Spiders open the home slate next Saturday, Feb. 8, when the team hosts Robert Morris at noon at Robins Stadium. Single-game tickets to all eight home contests as well as season ticket packages can be purchased over the phone by calling 1-877-SPIDER-1, visiting the Robins Center Ticket Office or via online orders by clicking here.