Syracuse and Notre Dame set for NCAA lacrosse semifinal showdown
Notre Dame and Syracuse prepare to clash in the NCAA men’s lacrosse semifinals, with the victor advancing to Monday’s national championship against Princeton.
Syracuse and Notre Dame are scheduled to meet in the NCAA men’s lacrosse semifinals on Saturday in Charlottesville, Virginia. The winner of this contest will advance to the national championship game on Monday to face Princeton, who secured their place in the final by defeating Duke 14-7.
Notre Dame enters the matchup as the defending two-time champion, having won the NCAA Championships in 2023 and 2024. The Fighting Irish have a strong historical record in the tournament, holding a 32-26 record across 29 trips to the NCAA Championship. In the quarterfinals, Notre Dame defeated Johns Hopkins 15-9, with Josh Yago contributing three goals and four assists to the victory.
Syracuse, the only returning semifinal team from last year, advanced to this stage by defeating No. 4 North Carolina. The Orange’s victory was led by a six-point performance from Joey Spallina. Both schools share ties to the Atlantic Coast Conference, adding a layer of regional rivalry to the national stage.
The upcoming semifinal represents a significant hurdle for both programs. Notre Dame aims to extend its recent dominance in the sport, while Syracuse looks to leverage its experience as the sole returning finalist from the previous year. The match in Charlottesville will determine which team joins Princeton in the title game.
Princeton enters the championship match as the No. 1 seed, having overcome Duke in the semifinals. The national championship game is set for Monday, capping off the NCAA men’s lacrosse tournament with a contest between the winner of the Syracuse-Notre Dame pair and the Tigers.
