Notre Dame's men's lacrosse team is a study in opposites. In 2009, the team went undefeated, only to lose in the NCAA first round to Maryland. This year, the team struggled, going 7-6 in its inaugural season in the Big East lacrosse conference, but has found new life in the NCAA Tournament.
The Fighting Irish defeated #6 Princeton and #3 Maryland to earn a place in the Division I men's lacrosse Final Four, where they will face #7 Cornell (12-5) on Saturday afternoon. This is Notre Dame's second ever national semifinal appearance, having made the Final Four in 2001.
Notre Dame's satisfying 7-5 win over the Terps, the foe who ended their season a year ago, was lead by sophomore attack Sean Rogers, who scored a hat trick. Against Princeton the week before, junior midfielder David Earl set his career high and team tournament high by scoring five goals in the Irish's 8-5 win.
Other standouts on the team this season have included senior midfielder Grant Krebs, who has 23 goals on the season, and junior midfielder Zach Brenneman, a first-team All Big-East selection with 36 points on the season.
Notre Dame's season has also been memorable due to the opening of their new home field, Arlotta Stadium, one of the largest lacrosse specific stadiums in the United States.
Much like Notre Dame was looking for revenge against Maryland last weekend, their Final Four opponent, Cornell, will be looking to make a statement after losing in an epically close National Championship game to Syracuse last Memorial Day. Notre Dame coach Kevin Corrigan is preparing for the Big Red's mindset, while realizing just how far his team has come.
"What a goofy year, what a journey this has been," he told USA Today after the win against Maryland. "Coming off of an undefeated last year, to lose six games and just be very, very fortunate to even get an opportunity to play in the tournament, I am so proud of our guys."
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