On May 27, 2024, Notre Dame made history in the NCAA men’s lacrosse championship game. The team, led by Chris Kavanagh’s five goals and Pat Kavanagh’s six assists, defeated Maryland 15-5 to win their second consecutive championship title. This marked Notre Dame’s second title in program history, making them the first team to win back-to-back titles in consecutive seasons since Duke in 2014.
Notre Dame’s achievement was historic as they finished with a record of 16-1. Only nine teams in history had won consecutive championships before this victory. Virginia also achieved this feat in 2019 and 2021 despite the cancelation of the 2020 season due to COVID-19. Maryland played in the championship game for the 17th time in program history, second only to Johns Hopkins with 18 appearances.
The game saw Maryland scoring the opening two goals, but Notre Dame responded with a commanding lead by closing out the first quarter with five of the last six goals. The Irish showcased remarkable teamwork throughout the game, with five different players scoring in that quarter alone, including two goals assisted by Pat Kavanagh. In the second quarter, Notre Dame extended their lead further by scoring five consecutive goals to go up 10-3 before Maryland managed to score again.
Chris Kavanagh’s outstanding performance earned him MVP honors as he scored a hat trick with three goals in quick succession during that quarter. Notre Dame’s midfielders also played a significant role throughout the match, contributing six goals and six assists combined in just one half of play. Goalkeeper Liam Entenmann made an impressive showing as he saved an astounding total of 16 shots throughout the game and established himself as a vital player for Notre Dame on defense.
Notre Dame’s defensive prowess was evident throughout the match as they allowed only five goals while keeping their opponents at bay for most of it. Their exceptional performance resulted in a ten-goal margin of victory over Maryland – their largest margin yet.
In conclusion, Notre Dame proved themselves worthy champions on May 27th when they claimed their second consecutive NCAA men’s lacrosse title over Maryland. The team’s remarkable teamwork and individual performances will long be remembered as some of the best we have seen in recent years.
