Syracuse Lacrosse Dominates Notre Dame in ACC

Syracuse Lacrosse

Syracuse Lacrosse Secures Dominant Victory Over Rival Notre Dame in ACC Showdown

Syracuse, NY – May 5, 2025 – The No. 3-ranked Syracuse Orange men’s lacrosse team delivered a statement win on Saturday, defeating No. 2 Notre Dame 14-9 in a thrilling ACC clash at the JMA Wireless Dome. The victory solidifies Syracuse’s position as a top contender for the NCAA championship and avenges last season’s heartbreaking overtime loss to the Fighting Irish in the Final Four.

High-Octane Offense Leads the Way

Syracuse (12-2, 5-1 ACC) came out firing, with senior attackman Joey Spallina netting four goals and dishing out three assists. The Orange’s offense, which ranks among the nation’s best, overwhelmed Notre Dame’s typically stout defense with relentless ball movement and precision shooting.

'We knew we had to play fast and smart,' Spallina said postgame. 'This team has so much chemistry, and when we’re clicking, we’re tough to stop.'

Junior midfielder Michael Leo added a hat trick, while faceoff specialist John Mullen dominated at the X, winning 18 of 26 draws to give Syracuse crucial possession advantages.

Defense and Goaltending Shine

While the offense dazzled, Syracuse’s defense and goaltending were equally impressive. Senior goalie Will Mark made 13 saves, including several key stops in the third quarter to halt Notre Dame’s momentum. Defenseman Billy Dwan held Notre Dame’s leading scorer, Pat Kavanagh, to just two goals, well below his season average.

'Our defense was locked in today,' said Syracuse head coach Gary Gait. 'We knew their offense was explosive, but our guys executed the game plan perfectly.'

Playoff Implications

With the win, Syracuse strengthens its case for a top seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. The Orange have now won seven straight games, including key victories over Duke, Virginia, and now Notre Dame.

Notre Dame (11-3, 4-2 ACC), the defending national champions, will look to regroup before the postseason. 'Credit to Syracuse—they outplayed us today,' said Notre Dame coach Kevin Corrigan. 'We’ll learn from this and get better.'

What’s Next?

Syracuse closes out the regular season next week against Cornell in the annual 'Battle of the Classics' rivalry game. A win would likely secure the Orange the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament as they chase their first national title since 2009.

Final Score: Syracuse 14, Notre Dame 9
Key Stats:

Shots: SU 42, ND 36

Faceoffs: SU 18/26, ND 8/26

Saves: Will Mark (SU) 13, Liam Entenmann (ND) 10

Fans packed the Dome with a season-high 12,500 in attendance, marking one of the most electric atmospheres in recent memory. With the postseason looming, Syracuse lacrosse appears poised for another deep championship run.

Stay tuned for more updates as the Orange gear up for the NCAA Tournament.

#GoOrange | #SyracuseLax

— By [Your Name], Syracuse Lacrosse Beat Reporter

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Syracuse Lacrosse Dominates Notre Dame in ACC

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