Notre Dame Wins Second Overall Title in Consecutive Tries
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 5/27/2024 –
Raindrops? What raindrops? For the Notre Dame Fighting Irish men’s lacrosse team it was all sunshine. Notre Dame successfully defends its national championship in the sport defeating the University of Maryland Terrapins 15 – 5 at the Linc.
The game featured the defending champion against the team that won it in 2022. This the second visit to the final for ND while UMD is not stranger to this game being in the final 17 times winning it 4 times.
But before it started add in one more variable; the weather. The teams were ready for a noon faceoff. Originally, the game was scheduled to begin at 1 PM, but was moved back due to the threat of inclement weather. They were ready to go, then … a severe thunderstorm warning that could produce lightening and strong winds issued caused a delay and clearing of the seating area. Center city Philly was not visible from the stadium area because of the storm clouds. The opening faceoff came at 2:10 PM.
How Did It Happen
Two factors tilted the game in Notre Dame’s direction; the team offense mostly provided by Kavanaugh brothers and the Notre Dame defense. Junior attack Chris Kavanaugh scored 5 goals to equal the school record for most goals in a single tournament game. Pat Kavanaugh, graduate attack, assisted 6 times, tying a program record, and twice on Chris’ scores. On offense the Fighting Irish ten different players scored a goal, and for 10 of their scores, another ND players recorded an assist. Of the ND 42 shots, 25 were on goal.
The defense held Maryland team to a season-low tying 5 goals. This is the second time the teams met this year, and in both, the Terps were limited to 9 and 5 scores. Maryland did get shots, 35 in all and 21 on goal. But Notre Dame net minder Liam Entenmann made 16 saves, two less than his season-high.
A telling stat for the Terrapins showed in that they won 17 of 24 faceoffs, all by West Chester native Luke Wierman. That is usually a good sign for a team. But Maryland could not get their offense going as they did commit 17 turnovers to 7 for Notre Dame.
Daniel Kelly had a team-best two goals and Eric Malever assisted twice. Leading scorer Daniel Maltz was limited to 3 shots and one assist.
Notable Locals
For Notre Dame sophomore midfielder Max Busenkell from Garnet Valley registered a goal and 2 assists. His first assist was on the initial goal for the Irish, which started their march back after falling behind 2 – 0 in the first four and a half minutes of the game. The goal at 6:16 of the first quarter, unassisted, would give his team a lead that they never relinquished.
Wierman also contributed 6 ground ball pick up’s and a shot for Maryland.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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