Notre Dame Blitzes Syracuse in Fourth Quarter to Secure National Championship Berth
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's lacrosse team delivered a masterclass in championship pedigree Saturday, dismantling the Syracuse Orange 15-7 in the NCAA Division I semifinals at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia. The victory propels Notre Dame into the national championship game for the third time in four years, where they will face top-seeded Princeton on Monday, May 25 at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Notre Dame (12-2) led wire-to-wire, but the scoreline belies a contest that remained competitive until a devastating sequence early in the fourth quarter. After Syracuse had clawed back to within 9-7 late in the third period, a costly penalty flipped the game decisively in the Irish's favor.
Freshman Syracuse defender Louis D'Agostino was flagged for a late crosscheck to the head and neck area in the closing seconds of the third quarter, drawing a two-minute non-releasable penalty. Notre Dame capitalized ruthlessly, scoring three man-up goals in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter to stretch the lead to 12-7. The Irish ultimately outscored Syracuse 6-0 in the final period, turning a tight battle into a rout.
Graduate student Josh Yago continued his torrid postseason run, posting seven points on three goals and four assists. Brock Behrman added four points (two goals, two assists), and Will Maheras also recorded four points with a goal and three assists. Notre Dame showcased its trademark balanced attack, with 10 different players finding the net.
Syracuse's Offensive Struggles and a Season-Ending Collapse
Syracuse (13-5) saw its bid for a first national championship since 2009 end in stunning fashion. The Orange offense, which entered the game averaging over 14 goals per contest, was held to a season-low seven goals. Graduate attacker Finn Thomson was the lone bright spot, scoring four goals on five shots. The rest of the Syracuse roster combined to shoot a dismal 3-for-40 from the field.
Joey Spallina, Syracuse's leading scorer, was held without a goal, managing only two assists and three shots on target. The Orange did enjoy a solid performance at the faceoff X, with John Mullen winning 14 of 24 draws despite a sore ankle, but the offense repeatedly misfired on quality opportunities.
Head coach Kevin Corrigan's squad will lament the D'Agostino penalty but also the inability to finish possessions. For the senior class, which had embraced a title-or-bust mentality, the defeat represents a bitter end to their collegiate careers.
Why This Victory Matters: Notre Dame's Dynasty in the Making
Notre Dame's return to the national championship game reinforces its status as the preeminent program in college lacrosse. After winning titles in 2023 and 2024, the Irish are now one win away from their third championship in four years—a feat that would cement a modern dynasty.
Head coach Kevin Corrigan has built a program defined by defensive discipline, balanced scoring, and tournament poise. Goalkeeper Thomas Ricciardelli was masterful against Syracuse, making 14 saves and frustrating the Orange at every turn. The Irish defense, anchored by long pole Aidan Diaz-Matos and short-stick d-middies like Chris Reinhardt, held Syracuse to just seven goals, matching the Orange's lowest output of the season.
Notre Dame's ability to win in multiple ways was on full display. When Syracuse threatened to seize momentum, the Irish responded with a shorthanded goal in the second quarter—their first man-down goal of the entire season—to stem the tide. That resilience has become a hallmark of Corrigan's teams.
The Road Ahead: Notre Dame vs. Princeton
Monday's championship game pits the two best teams in the country against each other. Top-seeded Princeton (14-1) advanced by defeating Duke 14-7 in the other semifinal. The Tigers, like the Irish, boast a high-powered offense and a stifling defense. The game will be broadcast on ESPN at 1 p.m. ET from Scott Stadium.
For Notre Dame, the matchup offers a chance to avenge their only loss of the season—a 13-10 defeat to Princeton on March 28 in South Bend. Since that setback, the Irish have won 10 straight games, including impressive NCAA Tournament wins over Jacksonville, Johns Hopkins, and now Syracuse.
Broader Implications: Shifting Power in College Lacrosse
Notre Dame's sustained excellence highlights a shifting power structure in college lacrosse. Traditional blue bloods like Syracuse, Virginia, and Duke have been supplanted by the Irish as the sport's gold standard. The Orange, once a perennial contender, have now gone 17 seasons without a national title, while Notre Dame has appeared in four of the last five championship games.
For Syracuse, this season's end raises existential questions. The Orange have recruited at an elite level but have struggled to translate talent into Final Four success. The D'Agostino penalty serves as a microcosm of a program that has often shot itself in the foot in big moments.
As Memorial Day weekend unfolds, lacrosse fans across the country will turn their attention to Monday's final. The matchup offers a compelling narrative: a resurgent Princeton seeking its first title since 2017 against a Notre Dame program chasing immortality. For the Irish, another banner would not only validate their dominance but also raise the bar for what constitutes success in college lacrosse.
For those looking for more sports coverage this holiday weekend, be sure to check out our Memorial Day Weekend Streaming Guide for entertainment options. And for a look at how other sports stars are navigating challenges, read about Padres Star Fernando Tatis Jr. Faces $3.74M Ruling and Historic Slump.
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