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Maryland Lacrosse: Ryder Garnsey makes a lot of sense for Maryland

By Chris Bengel

May 29, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; Maryland head coach John Tillman and his team celebrate during the final moments of their 9-6 win over Ohio State in the NCAA Championship game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
May 29, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; Maryland head coach John Tillman and his team celebrate during the final moments of their 9-6 win over Ohio State in the NCAA Championship game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Maryland lacrosse team had arguably the most impressive season in program history in 2017 as they captured a national championship.

With the amount of players graduating this summer and beyond, the Terrapins need to seriously think about replenishing the attack unit.

One way to do that could be trying to entice Notre Dame attackman Ryder Garnsey to come to College Park. On Saturday, Garnsey was given his release from the Fighting Irish and is free to transfer.

The star attackman will have to sit out the 2018 season, but will have two years of eligibility remaining after that.

In fact, a former Terp tweeted on Monday that Garnsey would make an excellent addition. Former Maryland and current Cheaspeake Bayhawks goalie Niko Amato chimed in with an endorsement of Garnsey.

Obviously, Amato has a vested interest, but definitely does have a very valid point. The Terps are losing Colin Heacock and Matt Rambo on attack next year.

Now the team does return Tim Rotanz, but Rotanz will graduate following the 2018 season. In addition, the Terps’ current group of attackmen accumulated just five goals and two assists this past season.

Dubick registered three goals and two assists, which makes up for most of the offense.

Obviously, the current group doesn’t take into account Maryland’s incoming recruiting class. According to Recruiting Rundown, the Terps have six players ranked in the top 100 of the recruiting publication’s rankings.

Sachem North (NY) attackman/midfielder James Avanzato is Maryland’s highest regarded recruit as he comes in at No. 21. That’s clearly where the Terps have the biggest need, so it wouldn’t be crazy to see Avanzato play right away.

Still, Garnsey makes a ton of sense.

In 2017, Garnsey registered a team-high 43 points (20 goals & 23 assists). The lefty shooter formed a formidable duo with fellow attackman Mikey Wynne.

Garnsey has a very lethal shot that he can get off from just about anywhere. He’s also a phenomenal passer that can facilitate as well as anybody in college lacrosse.

His strength and decision-making skills could remind Maryland fans a little bit of Rambo. He’s a table-setter that the Terps could definitely use given the fact that this could be a young group by the time 2018 rolls around.

Next: Jalen Smith commits to Maryland

Virginia has been tabbed as a popular landing spot for Garnsey, according to many lacrosse publications. However, Maryland certainly wouldn’t be a hard sell to Garnsey given their track record.