In just four starts at Maryland, Dylan Maltz has recorded seven points on five goals and two assists, already surpassing the three goals and one assist he registered in six games (no starts) last season at Syracuse.
Then again, the sophomore attackman, who hails from nearby Ashburn, Va., and graduated from Stone Bridge High School, never worried about his transition to the No. 9 Terps (3-1).
"It's easy," Maltz said after the team's 11-7 victory over then-No. 11 Penn on Feb. 24. "I knew it was going to be easy. I knew Coach [John] Tillman was an awesome coach and an awesome person. The players around me just brought me in, and they're awesome. I couldn't have asked for anything better."
After a quiet debut in Maryland's 8-1 victory at Navy, Maltz has become more assertive. He scored two goals in the team's 10-6 loss at then-No. 14 Yale on Feb. 21, posted two goals and two assists against Penn, and scored once in Saturday's 12-3 rout of Drexel.
Tillman said Maltz is beginning to show signs of his growth.
"I do think he's a guy that's been a little banged up in the preseason, and he's starting to come into form," Tillman said. "And it's tough being the new guy. I think he's just getting more comfortable with everybody and everybody with him. So I'm happy for him. He's worked really hard."
The 5-foot-8, 165-pound Maltz has taken over the role as the initiator from behind the net – a role shared last season by attackmen Mike Chanenchuk (who has graduated) and Connor Cannizzaro (who transferred to Denver).
"I just think our team needs to stick with the plan," he said. "We need to play composed, share the rock like we did today, and I think everyone will succeed in our offense."