M Lacrosse Hosts Notre Dame, 5 PM on State St., airing on ESPN U
Men’s Lacrosse takes on #11 ranked Notre Dame at the State Street Lacrosse Stadium at 5 PM today. If you can’t make it down there check it out on ESPN U (it should also be streaming - I know I will get it on my RokuTV). This is a big rematch for Michigan - last year they stunned the #4-ranked Irish in South Bend in a major upset. It was the biggest win in program history for Michigan.
This year, both sides are coming off difficult losses. Michigan dropped a largely uncompetitive contest to Marquette on Saturday in which they were without their top scorer and faceoff specialists. ND is coming off a 13-11 road loss to an athletic Virginia squad, who they had somehow not lost to since 2006, which must be one of the strangest streaks in college lacrosse. ND blew a 5 goal second half lead and then went 21 minutes without scoring and the game ended on a 8-1 UVA run. Some sloppy late-game turnovers prevented them from getting back in it.
ND has a strong, disciplined defense and a solid goalie. But it seems like they’re plagued by a lack of playmakers on offense. If Noseworthy is out again the faceoff unit is banged up Michigan will have a very hard time. They probably won’t win a lot of faceoffs so they’ll need to play smart defense and create turnovers and shot clock violations. Offensively they need to take care of the ball and maximize their possessions. Ground balls will be a premium. They also need to get back on defense; Heidt has faced too many point-blank shots in transition that he can do little about.
While the odds for Michigan aren’t great in this one, it’s a must-win game and their first home game in a month and a victory could get their season back on track. Plus, the Irish dropped a game to Richmond earlier this year so they’re far from unbeatable. Here’s to hoping Michigan can take down a big rival. GO BLUE!!!!
If they don't get a win this week - either today or Saturday vs. Delaware - it'll be a pretty depressing non-conference season. Only 3 wins so far.
Great pick by the long pole on the ride at midfield leading to the M goal. Good start.
They are turning the ball over a ton so far. Good news is DiCaprio and Borda and the D are also creating a ton themselves, getting good GBs, checks and picks.
I'm perplexed at what that penalty was that bailed ND out of a shot clock violation. Helped out with a goal.
Goddamn it, another one?
7-4 at half. Michigan gave up some bad goals at the end of the half eventhough they kept it tight most of the way. The last goal came on a quick restart in which Michigan's defense didn't pick up their men and left a man wide open for an easy shot. Defensively they're letting shooters get to the middle of the field and are not picking up men in unsettled situations. It looks like Curran is playing both ways(?) or he got caught on D a few times and ND ended up scoring.
Before that flurry at the end of the half I was going to say that this slow, muddled pace favors Michigan but it looks like Notre Dame may have woken up. Still, ND has made some bad turnovers of their own and last year Michigan won because the Irish were sloppy and lackadaisical. Michigan just has to make every possession count now.
9-8 going into the 4th. Michigan just let up a goal with 1.4 in the 3rd after tying it up and then winning possession after the faceoff (weird call gave it back to ND).
But the dream is still alive. LET'S DO IT!!! GO BLUE!!!
Officiating is fucking terrible though.
Michigan loses 12-9.
ND clamped down defensively and Michigan couldn't generate any offense in the 4th. Turnovers and faceoffs were a problem once again. Nevertheless, Michigan played valiantly and Conry coached his ass off; they were missing Noseworthy and basically surrendered every faceoff and still had ND sweating into the 4th quarter. ND is pretty good and has posted wins over Maryland and Denver so far this season so there's no shame in this loss.
It was an encouraging second half from Michigan as their defense tightened up and they cut down on their turnovers. Heidt was spectacular again AND worked his ass off because Michigan went to a 10-man ride most of the game.
Rest of the season might be shaping up to be a struggle. But they get a chance to get it back on track when they host Delaware this weekend. GO BLUE!