Gianluca Prestianniâs World Cup hopes dashed as ban for âhomophobic conductâ is extended worldwide
Gianluca Prestianni's ban for homophobic conduct affects World Cup hopes.
Maryland men's lacrosse faced a disappointing 2026 season, marked by a Big Ten Tournament exit and a potential end to their 22-year NCAA Tournament streak. Head coach John Tillman expressed frustration over the team's performance and the consequences of their losses.
FOXBOROUGH, MA - MAY 24: Will Schaller (27) of Maryland Terrapins in action during the 2025 NCAA Div I Men's Lacrosse Semifinal match between Syracuse Orange and Maryland Terrapins on May 24, 2025, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The frustration in head coach John Tillmanâs voice was palpable when he gave his closing remarks after Maryland menâs lacrosseâs Big Ten Tournament exit.
âWe just have to deal with the consequences because we didnât do enough to determine our own fate,â Tillman said.
For the first time under Tillman, the Terpsâ nation-leading streak of 22 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances was in jeopardy. Maryland posted its most regular season losses since 2009 and needed help to avoid a premature end to its disastrous season.
While other conference tournaments went the Terpsâ way â Yale and Harvard lost during the Ivy League Tournament, Virginia cruised through the ACC Tournament and all potential bid stealers were eliminated â the results still werenât enough.
After being the top-ranked preseason team, Maryland failed to secure one of eight at-large selections and was left entirely out of the tournament.
It wasnât a complete surprise given the Terpsâ resume; they lacked a signature top-5 victory that Duke and Yale boasted. Maryland ranked 14th in RPI, the third-best mark of the four bubble teams.
But the Terpsâ fight back into the postseason conversation after early-season adversity was remarkable. Eric Spanos missed the final three nonconference games, and top defenseman Will Schaller suffered a season-ending injury prior to Big Ten play.
Senior Riley Reese â whoâd never started a game â was thrust into the lineup with Schaller sidelined. The Terpsâ defense flipped a switch. Maryland held five of its final seven opponents to single-digit goals, finishing with the 11th-best scoring defense nationally.
The team struggled with a high number of regular season losses, leading to their early exit from the Big Ten Tournament.
The Terps' 2026 season put their 22-year NCAA Tournament appearance streak in jeopardy for the first time under coach John Tillman.
John Tillman expressed palpable frustration, stating that the team didn't do enough to control their fate and must deal with the consequences.
The 2026 season marked Maryland's most regular season losses since 2009.
Gianluca Prestianni's ban for homophobic conduct affects World Cup hopes.
CBS Sports Ranks 26 Most Important College Football Transfers for 2026
Ja'Kobi Lane aims to enhance his skills with the Ravens.

Gerard Piqué recibe seis partidos de sanción y dos meses de inhabilitación.
See every story in Sports â including breaking news and analysis.
Despite their significant defensive improvements, the Terpsâ offense couldnât deliver. Leo Johnson and Spanos shouldered the attacking production, combining for 81 points and finishing as Marylandâs only 20-goal performers.
While Maryland had several balanced performances â it had nine different goalscorers in both meetings against Rutgers â offensive inconsistencies hindered it.
The Terps posted a season-low six goals in each clash against Penn State and suffered three scoreless quarters across their final five games. Lengthy droughts, highlighted by a 29-minute goalless span in its conference tournament exit, allowed teams to string together runs.
âInconsistent is probably a good word, whether itâs quarter-to-quarter, half-to-half, game-to-game, weâve just been inconsistent,â Tillman said. âI think at times we might have settled for some low-angle shots.â
Although Maryland committed the 10th-fewest turnovers per game nationally, its sloppiness came at critical moments, often in its defensive half, and directly led to multiple goals. This proved particularly costly against Penn State, as Maryland failed four clears against the Nittany Lionsâ 10-man ride.
The Terpsâ faceoff unit was easily the most consistent throughout the season. Led by Henry Dodgeâs second-highest faceoff percentage in the country, Maryland remained top-5 nationally all year. It lost the faceoff battle just twice â in its two losses to Penn State.
In his first season as the full-time starter, Brian Ruppel had some shaky moments between the pipes. The senior goalkeeper conceded double-digit goals in five of the first seven games, leading to four defeats. While Ruppel remained steady during Big Ten play, he posted a career-low five saves in his final game as a Terp.
Even with Marylandâs talented transfer class largely living up to the billing, its returning pieces were mostly underwhelming.
Braden Erksa committed the teamâs second-most turnovers despite dishing out 16 assists. Elijah Stobaugh netted just three goals in the last seven games after posting four multi-goal outings during nonconference play.
Despite its 1-3 start, the Terps played their best lacrosse to close out the regular season. Marylandâs three-game winning streak propelled it into the tournament seeding and hosting conversation.
But three fourth-quarter shots bounced off the post, including Chris Lyonsâ potential game-tying shot, in the Terpsâ 9-8 defeat at Johns Hopkins. Ultimately, that loss was emblematic of Marylandâs season; it came close against ranked opposition but consistently fell short. The Terps got within a goal in the final quarter of all but one of their losses.
With 78.8% of its scoring production departing, Maryland is set to embark on its most important offseason in recent memory.
Matt Higgins, the Terpsâ lone All-Big Ten freshman team selection, and Stobaugh look poised for larger attacking roles. The duo combined for 17 goals and 10 assists this season and are Marylandâs top offensive returners. Former five-star attacker Spencer Ford is the likeliest breakout candidate, having totaled seven goals as a redshirt freshman this season.
Sophomore Jonah Carrier is expected to replace Dodge as the top faceoff specialist in 2027. Carrier was one of the best second options at the X this season, ranking 32nd nationally with a career-high 54.9% faceoff win percentage.
While its experienced stars deservedly got most of the recognition this season, Peter Laake was instrumental in Marylandâs defensive turnaround. The sophomore slowed down some prolific attackers and anchored the Terpsâ lead defenseman role. Laake is primed to be Marylandâs most important player next year and will be the lone familiar defensive face.
The starting goalkeeper position is arguably the biggest question mark heading into 2027. Tillman could opt to bring in an experienced portal addition, but if not, Aidan Seibel could assume that role. The class of 2025âs top-ranked goalie and No. 8 overall prospect was redshirted this season.
The Terps have hauled in the second-best 2026 recruiting class, headlined by long-stick midfielder Ethan Bramoff and attacker Brady Mollot. Maryland has 14 incoming freshmen, leaving it with four open roster spots.
After an unprecedented season, the Terps will hope to return to the NCAA tournament and avoid going consecutive years without a berth for the first time since 1984-85. With 18 players graduating, including seven starters, Tillman has his work cut out to return Maryland to the postseason.