University of Richmond
5-2
UMBC
1-3
Merklinger Sets Career High to Lead Spiders Past UMBC on Saturday
03/08/2025 | Men's Lacrosse
Richmond, Va. – In their third game in just six days, the University of Richmond men's lacrosse team faced a tough UMBC squad on Saturday, securing a 14-8 victory over the Retrievers. Max Merklinger, who set a career-high with four points against Mercyhurst on Tuesday, followed up with another career-best performance, recording six points (5 goals, 1 assist) to lead the Spiders to the win.
Merklinger was followed in points by Lucas Littlejohn, who had four (3 goals, 1 assist), and Evan O'Neil, who tallied three (3 assists). Aidan O'Neil (2 goals), Joe Sheridan (2 assists), Henry Alpaugh (2 goals), and Leo Caine (2 assists) each contributed two points. Short-stick defensive midfielder Jack Pilling broke the Retrievers' 10-man ride with a long shot from below the restraining line for his first goal of the season, while faceoff specialist Jared Chenoy won a draw and added his first goal of the year, contributing to the Spider tally.
UMBC took the first lead of the game with a goal at 13:33 in the first quarter, and the two teams traded goals early, with the Retrievers regaining the lead at 4-3 at 9:01 in the second. From there, Richmond went on a 7-1 run, pulling away to a 10-5 lead by the 11:10 mark of the third. UMBC responded with a pair of goals to cut the deficit to 10-7, but that would be as close as they'd get. The Spiders answered with four unanswered goals followed by a late one from UMBC with 2:21 left to secure the win.
Richmond and UMBC were nearly even at the faceoff dot, with the Spiders holding a narrow 14-12 advantage. Chenoy went 11-of-19, scooping up five ground balls, while Anthony DiCenso went 3-of-7 with one ground ball. Tommy Stull led Richmond, who outgained UMBC in ground balls, 30-25, with a career-high six and added two caused turnovers. Pilling and Connor Kelly also each caused two turnovers, with nine of UMBC's 25 turnovers being forced by the Spiders. In goal, Zach Vigue made five saves.
Richmond wraps up its home non-conference slate on Saturday, March 15, with a home game against No. 9 Duke. Game time is set for noon.
