University of Maryland Athletics

ZAPPITELLO IN THE NEWS

• (2/9/24) Maryland men’s lacrosse reserves the No. 1 for program standouts. Enter Ajax Zappitello.

ZAPPITELLO'S HONOR ROLL
• Earned the prestigious #1 jersey prior to the 2024 season, the second close defensemen to wear the jersey.
• 2024 Lt. Raymond Enners Outstanding Player of the Year, first close defenseman to win the award since 1993 
• 2024 USILA First Team All-American (Lone unanimous selection)
• 2024 Inside Lacrosse First Team All-American (Lone unanimous selection)
• 2024 USA Lacrosse Magazine First Team All-American
• No. 3 overall pick in 2024 PLL Draft (Maryland Whipsnakes)
• Finishes career with 75 career caused turnovers, which ranks tied for fifth all-time in program history
• 2024 NCAA All-Tournament Team
• 2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year 
• 2024 Tewaaraton Nominee
• Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week: 2/20
• USILA Team of the Week: 2/13, 2/20
• 2024 Tewaaraton Watch List
• 2024 USILA Scholar All-American
• 2023 USILA Second Team All-American
• 2023 Inside Lacrosse Second Team All-American
• 2023 USA Lacrosse Second Team All-American
• 2023 All-Big Ten First Team
• 2023 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (4/18) 
• 2022 Inside Lacrosse Third Team All-American 
• 2022 USILA Third Team All-American 
• 3x (2022, 2023, 2024) Academic All-Big Ten

As a Senior in 2024:
• Started all 17 games, covering the opposing team's top attackman in each one and solidifying his status as the top close defenseman of the season
• 14 of 17 games with a caused turnover, multiple CTs in 10
• Three groundballs and three caused turnovers while covering Virginia's in Connor Shellenberger (5/25)
• Career-high six groundballs plus two caused turnovers in comeback win at Penn State (3/31)
• Four groundballs and three caused turnovers while covering Syracuse's Joey Spallina (2/17) 

As a Junior in 2023:
• Tied for most caused turnovers on the team with 21, 29 groundballs rank sixth on the team.
• Missed final four games due to injury, started the other 12 at close defense usually guarding opponent's best attackman. 
• Also added two goals and two assists. 

As a Sophomore in 2022:
• Started all 18 games on close defense, guarding some of the best attackers in the nation. 
• Finished season leading team with 27 caused turnovers and had 26 groundballs.

As a Freshman in 2021:
• Played in 15 games, earning time at LSM and as a man down specialist.
• Grabbed three groundballs.
• Scooped a groundball in NCAA Tournament win over Vermont (5/16).
• Picked up a groundball in Big Ten Championship vs. Johns Hopkins (5/8).
• Made collegiate debut vs. Michigan, scooping a groundball (2/20).

Before Maryland:
• Played defense at Sunset High School in Portland, Oregon, where he was a three-time team captain
• Four-star recruit and No. 1 ranked senior defender in the West by Inside Lacrosse.
• 2019 US Lacrosse All-American,
• Played in the Adrenaline All-American 2020 game.
• Chosen as 2019 Metro League Player of the Year.
• Three-time All-Metro performer.
• Played club lacrosse for Legends West and LB3 Thunder National.

Personal:
• Son of Brian and Beth Zappitello.
• Has a younger brother Hopper, who plays lacrosse at Dartmouth.  
• Hobbies include basketball, soccer, swimming, playing FIFA with friends, and watching Netflix.

Why Maryland?: “I chose Maryland because it offered so many things I was looking for. I really connected with the coaches and players that I met on my visit. I wanted a larger school with lots of activities, including great athletics, and a great business school.”
 

Zappitello's Career Highs 

Points: 1 (10x), last vs. Penn State (5/2/24)
Goals: 1 (5x), last vs. Penn State (5/2/24)
Assists: 1 (5x), last vs. Johns Hopkins (4/22/23)
Groundballs: 6, at Penn State (3/31/24)
Caused Turnovers: 4 vs. Princeton (5/28/22)