#5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish men’s lacrosse team again prepared one of the most difficult schedules in the nation.  The Irish will develop their championship resume with a 12-game slate that includes 6 games against the top-6 teams and a total of 8 against the top-20. Sadly, it looks like the Western Rivalry remains on hiatus, but the Irish will not want for serious challenges.

The Irish opened the season with a strong exhibition performance against Air Force and will have their final exhibition tune-up this weekend against Cleveland State. The season begins for real on February 19. All home games this season will be free of charge for fans!  The broadcast schedule is just starting to develop, with at least 6 games to be broadcast on the ESPN networks.

Detroit Mercy, February 19 7:0o pm, home

The Titans visited the Irish to open the season four times, with the last visit being a 19-7 Notre Dame win in 2019. The Titans are familiar with the confined space of Loftus and arrive ready to play a chippy game.  This will be a test of the team’s ability to stay disciplined.

#4 Georgetown, February 26 1:00 pm, home

The Hoyas announced their return to the top tier last year with a quarterfinal run.  They will be among the toughest defenses the Irish will face.  The game should give us an indication of how much the Irish offense has improved.  We suspect this game will be held in Thunderdome, giving Notre Dame a huge home field advantage.  The teams last played in 2017 in Frisco, Texas, with the Irish coming away with a 16-10 win powered by an offensive onslaught by now coach Ryder Garnsey.

#2 Maryland, March 5 2:00 pm, home

A rematch of last year’s NCAA quarterfinal game where the Irish fell in overtime. The Terrapins lost Tewaaraton winner Jared Bernhardt to football and graduation, but they retain an incredibly deep and talented roster.  This series had a long reputation for resulting in low-scoring rock fights, but the offenses have returned in the last few matchups.  Notre Dame will look to recreate its fantastic overtime win from the last time Maryland visited the Irish in the regular season.

Ohio State, March 12, 1:00 pm Columbus, OH

After a 16-game win streak against the Buckeyes, Ohio State managed a few close wins in recent years.  The Irish will look to start a new streak against the Buckeyes.

Michigan, March 19, noon home (ACCN)

We don’t have much to say about this one other than that the Irish better destroy the skunkbears.  If everything goes according to plan, the Irish will be 3-0 versus the Big 10, and de facto Big 10 champions once again.

#1 Virginia March 26 1:00 pm Charlottesville, VA (ACCN)

The Irish visit the defending national champions to open their ACC schedule. There have been some beauties among the matchups with the Cavaliers at Koskinen, including the famous Dead Fish OT classic.


#12 Syracuse April 2 2:00 pm home (ESPNU)

The Irish have had the Orange’s number the past few outings with 22-8 and 18-11 wins last season.  There is some question as to whether the young Syracuse phenom, Owen Hilz, will be back in time for this game.  It will be critical for the Irish to log an ACC win at home in this contest.

#3 Duke April 9 1:00 pm Durham, NC

The Irish and Blue Devils have played 13 times since 2015, far more than any other team, in a series that has gone back and forth.  There are no secrets between these teams.  The Irish have had reasonable success at the Durham cow pasture and will hope come home with a win.

Marquette April 12 5:00 pm Milwaukee, WI

Notre Dame visits Marquette for a classic Tuesday evening trap game.  This one is always tough. To be honest, we just want the boys to come home with a win.

#6 North Carolina April 21 6:00 pm home (ACCN)

Led by Chris Gray, the Tar Heels will visit Arlotta for the only ACC games between these teams this year.  The games against North Carolina rarely meet the predicted script, but the Irish have won the last 5 at Arlotta, albeit all by razor-thin margins.

#12 Syracuse May 1 noon Syracuse, NY (ESPNU)

The Irish visit the Orange for their second game of the season series. We hate to admit it, but playing in the Dome is a real treat for lacrosse fans.  The Irish have had good recent success here and will look to build momentum for a NCAA run.  The Syracuse team they will face will likely be quite different from the one the will have faced a month earlier, and the Irish will need to come prepared.

#3 Duke May 7, noon home (ESPN2)

The Irish end their regular season with a visit by the Blue Devils for their second contest of the season.  We hope both teams come into this game with their NCAA resumes already in place, but there is a good chance it will be a must win for one of them.

 

Given the difficulty of this schedule, any record above .500 will establish the resume necessary for an NCAA trip.  However, with this experienced roster, expectations are much, much higher.

The broadcast schedule is only partially released.  We’ll post any additions as they become available.

#GoIrish