Our #6/#7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish men’s lacrosse will take on the Marquette Golden Eagles(0-1) this Saturday at 3:00 EST at Valley Fields.  The team will then quickly pivot to hosting Bellarmine Knights(1-2) on Tuesday at 3:00. These match-ups are shaping up to be great predictors of how this rebranded Irish team will look.

Before we get into the preview, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to the Marquette lacrosse family. Tragically, earlier this year two Marquette lacrosse players, Noah Snyder and Scott Michaud, lost their lives in a car accident. Please keep the families of these players, and the team as a whole, in your thoughts as they go through this challenging time.

Marquette

Long-time Irish nemesis Bobby O’Grady has graduated and the boys will face a very different Golden Eagles squad. Marquette’s one game this season came in a loss to Michigan. With the 7-14 score, there wasn’t too much offensive production from the Golden Eagles. However, an important note to make is that the 7 goals came from 6 different goal scorers (attackman Carsen Brandt being the lone multiple goal scorer). 

While Brandt has opened the season as Marquette’s most dangerous threat, tallying almost a third of the shots for the Golden Eagles, everyone on this team has proved they can score.

Another notable takeaway is that only 3 of these goals were assisted. With this dodge to score style of offense, our Irish defense should be able to keep the Golden Eagle offense under control, but only if they are focused on playing team defense.

In the cage for Marquette is Lucas Lawas who saved at a great 53% in the season opener. With his career average hovering around the same percentage, it won’t be the easiest time for our offense and will require discipline and thought behind shots.

Bellermine

With more games under their belt, we have a better view into how Bellarmine operates. Offensively, the Knights are led by brothers John and Joe Alie (7g5a and 7g1a respectively) and Ezra Moore(5g7a).

Similarly to Marquette, less that half of the Knights goals this season have been assisted, making this another game where team defence will be necessary. In years past this has been a big strength for the Irish, so this is a match-up where Notre Dame will hold most advantages.

Between the pipes for the Knights is Nolan Hudnut sitting right at 50%. Once again, not a walk in the park for our Irish shooters.

Ready to Start

With the heavy similarities between these two teams stylistically that will allow the boys to hone their game approach, there isn’t more we can ask for in back to back games.

Regardless of scores this week, this will be the defining point for the next few seasons. There is a big hole in the culture of this team, and we will need someone to step up and be a leader. We trust Coach Corrigan to put the right guys in the right opportunities, but it is up to the players to make the most of it.

All in all, you can’t call this season a rebuilding year as much as it may feel like it in some ways, because plain and simple it isn’t. This team can win a national championship and we are excited to watch!

#GoIrish

 

Luke Burgar

ND-ATL 2.0