Notre Dame men’s lacrosse team lost its first game of the season to Virginia by a score of 11-9 at Klockner Stadium on March 28. The defeat marks Notre Dame’s first loss, bringing their record to 6-1 for the season.
The match was significant as it served as Notre Dame’s Atlantic Coast Conference opener. Both teams traded leads throughout the game, but Virginia managed to pull ahead in the final quarter.
Josh Yago, Matt Jeffery, and Will Maheras each scored two goals for Notre Dame. The team also had several near-misses, hitting the post or bar four times during the match. Goalie Thomas Ricciardelli recorded 11 saves while allowing 11 goals.
Virginia started strong with two quick goals before Notre Dame responded with three consecutive scores from Jeffery, Fisher Finley, and Yago. After a back-and-forth second quarter, Notre Dame led at halftime by one goal. The Irish extended their lead early in the third quarter through Maheras but were matched by Virginia’s offense as both teams entered the fourth quarter tied at nine.
In the final period, Notre Dame was unable to score while Virginia added two more goals—one with just over three minutes remaining and another into an empty net—to secure victory.
Looking ahead, Notre Dame will conclude its non-conference schedule against No. 2 Richmond in Evanston, Illinois on April 4. The matchup is part of Lacrosse Day in Chicago at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium and will be broadcast on ACCNX.
