A classic conference rivalry resumes Saturday when No. 8 Syracuse men’s lacrosse (8-4, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) hosts No. 5 Notre Dame (5-2, 1-0 ACC) in the 22nd meeting between the programs. While the two teams are familiar foes, there’s plenty at stake and new history to be made.
Syracuse’s biggest challenge will come on the defensive end against one of the nation’s most explosive attacks. Notre Dame ranks third nationally in scoring offense, averaging over 15 goals per game.
“This is what we play for––to play the best of the best.” said SU head coach Gary Gait.
The ‘Cuse has faced just one other top-five offense this season, holding Colgate to 12 goals—three below its average. Redshirt sophomore goalie Jimmy McCool stepped up with a career-high 18 saves in that contest.
Notre Dame’s offense is led by senior attackman Chris Kavanagh, who paces the Irish with 20 goals. Kavanagh, ranks ninth nationally in points per game and has posted at least two points in every outing this season. Slowing him down will be key for the Orange defense. In Notre Dame’s two losses, the Irish were held to an average of just 9.5 goals.
Syracuse is coming off a strong defensive performance in its ACC opener, holding Virginia to just three fourth-quarter goals to seal a statement win.
“We still have lapses (defensively), but I think we’ve reduced the number of lapses and we’ve been pretty consistent,” Gait said.
One area Syracuse will look to improve is at the faceoff X. Against Virginia, the Orange won just nine of 25 draws. That could prove costly against Notre Dame, as both teams rank in the top 10 nationally in faceoff win percentage—each winning about 60% of its attempts.
“Now it’s a chance to put ourselves in a position to make plays,” said Gait.
Both squads enter on multi-game winning streaks. Notre Dame rebounded from consecutive losses—its first such skid in three years—with back-to-back wins over top-15 opponents, averaging a victory margin of 8.5 goals.
Syracuse, meanwhile, has bounced back from a pair of February losses with five straight wins. Saturday offers a shot at its highest-ranked victory of the season under Gait.
Syracuse clashes with Notre Dame Saturday at 2. We’ll have full coverage for the conference tilt starting at 1:30 with McClurg Remodeling Countdown to Faceoff.