Goran Murray Ineligible For 2015 Season

Feb 22, 2014; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange midfielder Mike Messina (21) retrieves a loose ball with Maryland Terrapins defenseman Goran Murray (44) in pursuit during the first quarter at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been a very tough offseason for the Maryland men’s lacrosse team to say the least.

The Terrapins were dealt another crushing blow as the team announced that defenseman Goran Murray is ineligible for the 2015 season due to academic issues. According to coach John Tillman, Murray hasn’t been with the team since their loss to Notre Dame in the Final Four last May.

Murray scooped up 17 ground balls and caused 11 turnovers a season ago for a Maryland defense that ranked third in the nation in defense. The Terps only allowed 7.2 goals-per-game in 2014.

This is a huge loss for a team that was ranked in the top 10 by many national pundits heading into the 2015 season. Maryland was already trying to combat the losses of goalie Niko Amato, long-stick midfielder Michael Ehrhardt, and short-stick defenseman Brian Cooper.

The team does return defenseman Casey Ikeda and Matt Dunn for the upcoming season.

On top of Murray, Maryland lost stellar freshman and ACC Rookie of the Year Connor Cannizzaro as the attackman transferred to Denver. Sophomore attackman Matt Rambo was also suspended indefinitely by the school for his role in an incident in College Park in late October. Felony charges against Rambo were dropped.

According to Lax Magazine, an announcement on Rambo’s status could come next week.

The departure of Murray likely could mean more playing time for Mac Pons, who was a highly-touted recruit from Boys’ Latin a season ago.