Coach Kevin Corrigan of the USILA #4 Notre Dame men’s lacrosse team released what may be the most difficult schedule in the country Thursday on Lax Sports Network.  There are no cupcakes on this slate, with the Irish playing the 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 14, 17,  and 18th ranked teams.  The tilt against Michigan will be the only game played not against a pre-season top-35 team. If Notre Dame makes a national championship run, and we certainly hope they do, as many as 14 of 17 games will be against ranked opponents. Here in SEC country, we call this a skeh-djoool.

The Fighting Irish began their preseason testing themselves against Team USA, while others on their schedule are taking on high school squads.  Notre Dame Lacrosse will continue its preseason with three scrimmages against Bellarmine on January 22, against Air Force on January 28 (their opponent in the opening round of the 2016 NCAAs), and Detroit on February 8.  All games will be indoors at the Loftus Center.

GEORGETOWN, February 18 @ 2:00, at The Star in Frisco  ESPNU

It’s not a stretch to say folks are excited to play at the new Dallas Cowboys facility to open the season:

 

The Irish opened the season against the Hoyas last year in Atlanta, beating them 12-7.  Georgetown came into the season ranked, but the team never seemed to get it together.  The question will be if last season’s G’Town team was an anomaly and if they can get back on track.  We simply hope the season opens in the same way:

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MICHIGAN, February 26 @ 2:00, Arlotta Stadium

The Wolverines are a relatively recent addition to Division I lacrosse, with Notre Dame winning both meetings between the teams.  Michigan has not had the success some other new programs have had, but in their defense, the are a new program in the very strong Big Ten.

#2 MARYLAND, March 4, TBA, Arlotta Stadium

This will be the Irish’s first big test, and the beginning of an absolutely insane stretch of games.  The Terps were NCAA finalists last year, but lost to the Irish in a defensive master class in Orange County last March.

at #3 DENVER, March 12 @ 3:00, Denver, CO

If you don’t have this game circled on your calendar, you are simply not a lacrosse fan.  For years, this has been the early season game to watch, with nearly every game finishing in OT or by 1 goal.  Notre Dame will be looking to avenge their OT loss last year that cost them the #1 ranking.

at #14 VIRGINIA, March 18 @ 6:00, Charlottesville, VA ESPNU

The narrative of this game will surround new Virginia coach Lars Tiffany who brings with him the innovative and explosive offense implemented while he was at Brown.  We will, however, look for a repeat of last year’s OT classic:

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#17 OHIO STATE, March 26 @ 2:00, Arlotta Stadium

Notre Dame rides a 14-game win streak against their longest rival, the Buckeyes.  The Irish won 9-8 in a sloppy performance at the Horseshoe in 2016.

# 5 SYRACUSE, April 1 @ 12:00, Arlotta Stadium ESPNU

We can assume the Orange will be looking for revenge after Notre Dame’s complete demolition of Syracuse at the Carrier Dome last year on their 100th year celebration.  We hate to poke a bear, but it served them right for scheduling a celebratory game against the preseason #1 team.

at #7 DUKE, April 8 @ 12:00, Durham, NC ESPNU

Duke will be without Myles Jones and Deemer Class for the first time against the Irish in what seems like forever.  The Irish won the regular season game against the Blue Devils, but lost to them in a heartbreaker in the ACC tournament.

#18 MARQUETTE, April 11 TBA, Arlotta Stadium

We’ll go ahead and say it,  Notre Dame’s only midweek game should sound all the upset alarm bells.  The Irish won last year on an OT goal by the King of Clutch, Matt Kavanagh.  Marquette graduated the two excellent defensemen, Liam Byrnes and B.J. Grills.

#1 NORTH CAROLINA, April 22 @ 12:00 Arlotta Stadium ESPNU

A chance to make a statement against the defending national champions and current #1 team.  For some reason, UNC seems to be the only team in the county with a consistent solution to the Notre Dame defense.  The Tar Heels were having a middling season in 2016 until a 7-goal, 4th quarter comeback against the Irish.  UNC rode the momentum all the way to a national championship, pounding the Irish for a second time along the way in the NCAA quarterfinals.

ACC TOURNAMENT, April 28-30, Durham, NC

As the ACC does not have an automatic NCAA qualifier spot, this tournament is for bragging rights, momentum, and padding strength of schedule.   We, of course, are bummed it’s not in Atlanta again this year, but Durham may be close enough.

@ ARMY, May 6 @1:30, West Point, NY

The Fighting Irish have filled the gap between the ACC and NCAA tournaments again with a game against Army, a consistently solid team.  Notre Dame won comfortably last year, but got quite a scare in 2015.

NCAA TOURNAMENT

The national championship run.