The Big Ten Men’s Lacrosse Tournament heats up as the No. 2-seeded Maryland Terrapins take on the No. 3-seeded Penn State Nittany Lions in a high-stakes semifinal clash. The game is set for Thursday, May 1, at U-M Lacrosse Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with face-off scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET (note: the original start time was adjusted due to the tournament schedule shifting earlier in the day).
How to watch Big Ten Semifinals: Maryland vs Penn State today
- Matchup: Maryland vs. Penn State (Big Ten Tournament Semifinal)
- Date: Thursday, May 1
- Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
- Location: U-M Lacrosse Stadium | Ann Arbor, MI
- TV Channel: Big Ten Network (BTN)
- Live Stream: Watch Anywhere
Fans can catch all the action live on the Big Ten Network (BTN), with streaming options available via Fox Sports App or SteadyFlix OTT
Big Ten Semis Preview No. 2-seed Maryland men’s lacrosse vs. No. 3-seed Penn State
Both teams enter this matchup with 10-2 overall records and 3-2 marks in Big Ten play, making this a battle of near-equals. The winner advances to the Big Ten Championship Game, where they’ll face the victor of No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 5 Rutgers.
For Penn State, this is a chance to return to the conference title game for the second straight year after demolishing Maryland 19-9 in last season’s semifinal. The Nittany Lions are eager to prove their regular-season loss to the Terps was just a bump in the road.
Meanwhile, Maryland seeks redemption after last year’s shocking defeat. Head coach John Tillman isn’t dwelling on the past, but the Terps must tighten their defense against a Penn State offense that averages 13.5 goals per game.
Key Storylines
1. Maryland’s Defense vs. Penn State’s Offense
- The Terps boast the second-stingiest defense in the nation, allowing just 7.67 goals per game.
- Goalkeeper Logan McNaney was stellar in their first meeting, holding Penn State to a season-low 8 goals.
- The Nittany Lions, however, outshot Maryland 33-28 in that game—indicating they’ll have scoring opportunities if they finish better this time.
2. Revenge Factor for Penn State
- Penn State’s 19-9 thrashing of Maryland in last year’s semifinal serves as motivation for both sides.
- The Nittany Lions’ offense, led by TJ Malone and Matt Traynor, must solve Maryland’s defense early to avoid another low-scoring outing.
3. Maryland’s Balanced Attack
- The Terps’ offense, powered by Braden Erksa and Eric Spanos, must capitalize on Penn State’s occasional defensive lapses.
- Maryland dominated the first half in their 13-8 win over Penn State in March—another fast start could be the difference.
Prediction & Final Thoughts
This game could go either way, but Maryland’s elite defense and experience in big games give them a slight edge. However, if Penn State’s shooters find their rhythm early, an upset is very possible.
Final Score Prediction: Maryland 12, Penn State 10
