How will the ACC reclaim its throne at the top of the lacrosse world. What are the key focus areas for Duke, Notre Dame, and North Carolina in the 2023 season. Which players are expected to make significant impacts for their respective teams.
ACC Lacrosse: A Conference at a Crossroads
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has long been regarded as the pinnacle of college lacrosse. However, the 2022 season saw a notable decline in the conference’s dominance, with only the University of Virginia securing a spot in the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse National Tournament. As we approach the 2023 season, the ACC stands at a crucial juncture, poised to reassert its supremacy in the lacrosse world.
This comprehensive analysis delves into the prospects of three key ACC teams: Duke University, the University of Notre Dame, and the University of North Carolina. We’ll examine their performance in the previous season, highlight notable players, and identify the critical areas each team must focus on to elevate the ACC’s standing in collegiate lacrosse.
Duke Blue Devils: Balancing Offensive Prowess and Defensive Growth
The Duke Blue Devils enter the 2023 season with high expectations, as is customary for this storied program. Coming off an 11-6 record in 2022, Duke aims to clinch the ACC title and secure a berth in the NCAA Lacrosse Tournament.
Offensive Firepower
Duke’s offense remains formidable, spearheaded by returning stars:
- Brennan O’Neill (53 goals, 21 assists) – Second Team USILA All-American
- Dyson Williams (43 goals, 9 assists) – Led the nation in overall shooting percentage
Is Duke’s offense enough to carry them to success? While their scoring potential is undeniable, the Blue Devils must ensure a balanced attack to keep opponents guessing and create opportunities for their sharpshooters.
Defensive Challenges
The Blue Devils face a significant challenge in goal, with a new face expected to take the starting role. This transition may lead to some growing pains for the defense. Duke will rely heavily on experienced defenders like Tyler Carpenter (67 ground balls, 3 goals, 2 assists) to provide leadership and stability as the new goalkeeper adapts to the starting position.
Avoiding Early Setbacks
Duke’s primary focus for the 2023 season should be avoiding “bad” losses early in the schedule. Historically, the Blue Devils have been prone to unexpected defeats against lesser opponents. With the ACC receiving fewer NCAA tournament bids in recent years, Duke cannot afford such blemishes on their record if they hope to secure a postseason berth.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Defensive Dominance and Offensive Evolution
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish, despite their Midwest location, have consistently been a force to be reckoned with in college lacrosse. Coming off an 8-4 record in 2022, the Fighting Irish aim to build on their strong foundation and secure an NCAA tournament bid in 2023.
Defensive Prowess
Notre Dame’s reputation for stifling defense remains intact, anchored by senior goaltender Liam Entenmann. With a .573 save percentage in the previous season, Entenmann is poised for another All-American caliber performance. His presence between the pipes provides a solid backbone for the Fighting Irish defense, which has consistently forced opponents to earn every point.
Offensive Leadership
The Fighting Irish offense will be led by the dynamic duo of Pat and Chris Kavanagh:
- Pat Kavanagh (25 goals, 39 assists)
- Chris Kavanagh (22 goals, 11 assists)
Can the Kavanagh brothers elevate their game to new heights? For Notre Dame to have a serious shot at the NCAA tournament, these offensive leaders must take their performances to the next level, particularly against tougher opponents.
Balancing Offense and Defense
While Notre Dame’s defense has been their calling card, the team’s focus for 2023 should be on offensive improvement. After missing the NCAA Tournament last year despite a strong finish to the season, the Fighting Irish need to put more points on the board consistently. A more potent offense will complement their stellar defense and increase their chances of securing crucial victories throughout the season.
North Carolina Tar Heels: Rebuilding and Redefining
The University of North Carolina Tar Heels face a challenging 2023 season after a disappointing 8-6 record in 2022. With the departure of key players and a 1-5 conference record last year, UNC must focus on rebuilding and redefining their identity in the competitive ACC landscape.
Offensive Reconstruction
The Tar Heels’ offense faces a significant overhaul following the departures of Chris Gray (48 goals, 32 assists) and Jacob Kelly (20 goals, 15 assists). How will UNC replace this offensive firepower? The team must quickly establish a new offensive identity early in the season to avoid unnecessary losses and remain competitive within the conference.
Defensive Improvements
UNC’s defense, particularly in goal, needs substantial improvement. Goalkeeper Collin Krieg’s save percentage has declined each year as a starter, contributing to the team’s defensive struggles. The Tar Heels must find stability between the pipes to establish a stronger defensive rhythm and prevent the blowout conference losses that plagued them in 2022.
Overall Team Efficiency
In 2022, the Tar Heels were outscored, more penalized, and less efficient than their opponents throughout the year. UNC’s focus for 2023 should be on improving these key metrics across all aspects of their game. While challenges are expected, the goal should be steady improvement and a return to competitiveness within the ACC.
The ACC’s Path to Redemption
As the 2023 season approaches, the ACC finds itself at a critical juncture. Can the conference reclaim its position as the premier lacrosse league in collegiate sports? The answer lies in the performance of its member institutions.
Duke, Notre Dame, and North Carolina each face unique challenges and opportunities in the coming season. Duke must leverage its offensive star power while developing a new goalkeeper. Notre Dame needs to maintain its defensive excellence while boosting its offensive output. North Carolina faces a rebuilding year, focusing on establishing a new team identity and improving overall efficiency.
The success of these programs, along with other ACC teams not covered in this analysis, will determine whether the conference can regain its dominant position in college lacrosse. A strong showing from multiple ACC teams in the NCAA tournament would go a long way in reestablishing the conference’s reputation.
Key Players to Watch in the 2023 ACC Lacrosse Season
As we look ahead to the 2023 season, several players stand out as potential game-changers for their respective teams:
Duke Blue Devils
- Brennan O’Neill: Coming off a Second Team USILA All-American selection, O’Neill’s offensive prowess will be crucial to Duke’s success.
- Dyson Williams: After leading the nation in shooting percentage, Williams will aim to maintain his efficiency while potentially increasing his volume of shots.
- Tyler Carpenter: As a leader on defense, Carpenter’s experience will be vital in guiding the team’s new goalkeeper.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- Liam Entenmann: The senior goaltender’s performance could make or break Notre Dame’s defensive dominance.
- Pat Kavanagh: As the team’s leading scorer and facilitator, Kavanagh’s ability to create offense will be key to Notre Dame’s success.
- Chris Kavanagh: The younger Kavanagh brother will need to build on his strong sophomore season to provide additional offensive firepower.
North Carolina Tar Heels
- Collin Krieg: The goalkeeper’s ability to improve his save percentage will be crucial for UNC’s defensive resurgence.
- New offensive leaders: With the departure of Chris Gray and Jacob Kelly, new players must step up to fill the offensive void.
Strategies for ACC Lacrosse Success in 2023
For the ACC to reestablish its dominance in college lacrosse, its member institutions must focus on several key strategies:
- Offensive innovation: Teams like Duke and Notre Dame should continue to evolve their offensive schemes to stay ahead of defensive adjustments.
- Defensive cohesion: North Carolina and other ACC teams must prioritize defensive communication and coordination, especially when breaking in new goalkeepers.
- Special teams excellence: Improving man-up and man-down situations can provide a crucial edge in close games.
- Player development: Identifying and nurturing emerging talent will be essential for long-term success, particularly for teams like UNC that are in rebuilding mode.
- Mental toughness: ACC teams must develop resilience to overcome early-season setbacks and perform consistently in high-pressure situations.
Will these strategies be enough to propel ACC teams back to the top of the lacrosse world? Only time will tell, but the potential for a resurgence is certainly there.
The Impact of ACC Lacrosse on the National Landscape
The performance of ACC teams in the 2023 season will have far-reaching implications for college lacrosse as a whole. A strong showing from the conference could:
- Influence recruiting: Top high school prospects may be more inclined to choose ACC schools if the conference regains its elite status.
- Affect tournament seeding: More ACC teams in the NCAA tournament could lead to tougher brackets and more exciting matchups.
- Drive innovation: As ACC teams adapt to new challenges, they may pioneer strategies that influence the broader lacrosse community.
- Boost media coverage: Increased competitiveness within the ACC could lead to more national attention and broadcast opportunities for college lacrosse.
How will the ACC’s performance in 2023 shape the future of college lacrosse? While predictions are difficult, it’s clear that the conference’s success or failure will have a significant impact on the sport’s landscape.
Preparing for the 2023 ACC Lacrosse Season: Fan’s Guide
As the 2023 ACC lacrosse season approaches, fans can prepare for an exciting year of competition. Here are some ways to enhance your ACC lacrosse experience:
- Follow team social media accounts for up-to-date information and behind-the-scenes content.
- Familiarize yourself with new players and their backgrounds to better appreciate their contributions on the field.
- Study the rule changes and tactical trends in college lacrosse to deepen your understanding of the game.
- Engage with other fans through online forums and social media to discuss predictions and analyze performances.
- Consider attending games in person or organizing watch parties to fully immerse yourself in the ACC lacrosse atmosphere.
By investing time in understanding the nuances of ACC lacrosse, fans can gain a deeper appreciation for the sport and the conference’s role in shaping its future.
As we eagerly anticipate the start of the 2023 ACC lacrosse season, it’s clear that the conference stands at a pivotal moment. With powerhouses like Duke and Notre Dame looking to maintain their elite status, and programs like North Carolina aiming for a resurgence, the stage is set for a thrilling and potentially transformative year in college lacrosse. The ACC’s journey to reclaim its throne atop the lacrosse world begins now, and every game, every goal, and every save will play a crucial role in shaping the conference’s legacy.
ACC Lacrosse 2023 Conference Preview
The ACC in years past has been arguably the best conference in college lacrosse. Last year, the ACC took a step backwards as Virginia was the only team to make the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse National Tournament. The 2023 season leaves a lot of opportunity for the ACC to reclaim its throne at the top of the lacrosse world, but how exactly will it get there?
Every week we will be taking a look at every NCAA Division 1 Lacrosse conference and breaking down each team along with identifying their main focus for the upcoming season. This week we are taking a look at the ACC Lacrosse Conference.
Duke
2022 Season Record
(11-6)
Notable Returning Players
Brennan O’Neill (53G, 21A) – Dyson Williams (43G, 9A) – Tyler Carpenter (67GBs, 3G, 2A)
Focus for the 2023 Season
The expectations for Duke are the same as any other year; perform at a high level, win the ACC, and make the NCAA Lacrosse Tournament. The Blue Devils return a high amount of offensive star power in players like Brennan O’Neill who was named a Second Team USILA All-American this past season, along with Dyson Williams who led the nation in overall shooting percentage last year.
However, the Blue Devils will be looking at a new face between the pipes which is expected to come with some learning moments and growing pains. Expect for this defense to lean on leadership from experienced players like Tyler Carpenter and other experienced defensive personnel as the new netminder gets used to the starting role.
In order to meet the expectations that come with the Duke name, the Blue Devils must avoid any “bad” losses early in the season. Duke is typically beaten by a lesser opponent every year and with the ACC receiving less NCAA tournament bids as of late, the Blue Devils cannot afford these blemishes on their record.
Fall ballin’ 🥍🍂 pic.twitter.
com/MqGtjRFrvG
— Duke Men’s Lacrosse (@DukeMLAX) October 3, 2022
com/MqGtjRFrvGNotre Dame
2022 Season Record
(8-4)
Notable Returning Players
Pat Kavanagh (25G, 39A) – Chris Kavanagh (22G, 11A) – Liam Entenmann (.573% Save Percentage)
Focus for the 2023 Season
Hailing from the Midwest, Notre Dame has always been an exciting program to watch. Notre Dame is consistently a strong powerhouse that is known for a strong defense that will make you earn every point. For the upcoming season, expect that same defensive force to be at an all-time high. Goaltender Liam Entenmann, has been a major bright spot and anchor of the Notre Dame defense since he arrived on campus. Entering his senior season, Entenmann is fully expected to give another All-American caliber season to help propel this Fighting Irish team towards an NCAA tournament bid.
Offensively, Pat and Chris Kavanagh need to lead the charge this year and take jumps in their game.
These two were the offensive leaders for the team last year and that will need to continue in order for the team to have a serious shot at the tournament. After missing the NCAA Tournament last year despite a strong close to the season, the Fighting Irish offense will need to take the next step and put more points on the board against their tougher opponents to come out with more victories on the schedule at the end of the year. They say defense wins championships, but the Fighting Irish need offense to keep them in the game to begin with.
🧱🧱🧱
Liam Entenmann: A nightmare for opposing attacks#GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/npmZ1Tk4xf
— Notre Dame Lacrosse (@NDlacrosse) September 28, 2022
North Carolina
2022 Season Record
(8-6)
Notable Player Departures
Jacob Kelly (20G, 15A) – Chris Gray (48G, 32A)
Focus for the 2023 Season
UNC has always been a phenomenal program and a pleasure to watch.
However, we can all agree that the Tar Heels have seen better seasons than the 2022 season. Despite the additional power added by Chris Gray, the Tar Heels did not have the season they had hoped for. Last season the Tar Heels were outscored, more penalized, and less efficient than their opponents throughout the year.
The expectation for UNC this year is to not just get better, but to get back to being a competitive team within the conference. With the Tar Heels going 1-5 in conference play along with the departures of players like Chris Gray and Jacob Kelly, the offense is going to have to find its identity early in the season to avoid unnecessary losses. It should be anticipated that they will likely still have struggles in the coming season as well, but expect them to begin their climb back upwards.
Defensively, expect a jump in productivity from the Tar Heel goalkeeper. UNC was very average to below average between the pipes this year and goaltender Collin Krieg’s save percentage has dropped every year so far as the starter.
The Tar Heels need to find the answer in net in order to establish a defensive rhythm and avoid blowout conference losses like we saw last year.
WORK WEEK 💪🥍#FamilyAcademicsLacrosse pic.twitter.com/yMmxSxjsHr
— UNC Men’s Lacrosse (@UNCMensLacrosse) October 3, 2022
Syracuse
2022 Season Record
(4-10)
Notable Player Departure
Tucker Dordevic (47G, 12A)
Notable Transfers/Freshmen
Will Mark (GK) – Joey Spallina (A)
Focus for the 2023 Season
Syracuse undoubtedly had one of the worst seasons in program history. This was even more upsetting to the Orange faithful considering they just hired two of the best players in lacrosse history as coaches. To make matters worse, they could not get any consistency between the pipes and lacked the offensive power needed to propel them forward in close contests.
For this upcoming season, expect a much stronger defense from Syracuse. The Orange picked up a very talented goalie in Will Mark from LIU through the transfer portal. The addition of Will Mark between the pipes should yield a lot more consistency than what they were receiving previously. This will lead to a better defense and more offensive opportunities for the team. However, the departure of offensive weapon Tucker Dordevic will undoubtedly be missed. Syracuse did land the No.1 rated recruit out of high school, Joey Spallina, to fill this void. While Spallina cannot be the entire answer, expect for him to be a bright spot for the Orange wearing the legendary #22 jersey.
New week. More improvement.#HHH x #LikeNoOther pic.twitter.com/pjXfknjdj5
— Syracuse Men’s Lacrosse (@CuseMLAX) September 26, 2022
Virginia
2022 Season Record
(12-4)
Notable Returning Players
Connor Shellenberger (32G, 44A) – Payton Cormier (50G, 10A) – Matthew Nunes (GK)
Notable Incoming Freshmen
Truitt Sunderland (A)
Focus for the 2023 Season
The University of Virginia is a top five team in the nation almost every year.
The expectations of this program are the same every year; championship weekend partnered with a national title at the end. For the Cavaliers, this expectation is a real possibility as they bring back a wealth of star power, experience, and young fresh talent for the 2023 season.
The Cavaliers return stud offensive profiles like Shellenberger along with Payton Cormier to continue their offensive dominance. The additions of recruits like Truitt Sunderland, one of top rated recruits coming out of high school, will only make this offense even more difficult to handle.
On the opposite end of the field, goalkeeper Matthew Nunes returns to the Cavaliers as the reigning ACC Freshman of the Year and brings along with a ton of valuable in-game experience. Expect for this young goaltender to be a staple for this Virginia defense and take a jump in net finishing the season above .500%.
At 𝗩𝗜𝗥𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗔, opportunity knocks 🚪🤛#HoosNext⚔️ pic.
— Virginia Men’s Lacrosse (@UVAMensLax) September 1, 2022
twitter.com/v1fczwCayrACC Lacrosse Championship underway in Charlotte
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Major collegiate lacrosse has found a new home in Charlotte, at least for this weekend.
The 2023 Atlantic Coast Conference Women’s Lacrosse Championship continues Friday, just outside of Uptown Charlotte.
What You Need To Know
- 2023 ACC Women’s Lacrosse Championship continues in Charlotte throughout the weekend
- Number of lacrosse teams in North Carolina on the rise at high school level
- Fans in attendance say the sport, and its fanbase, are growing in N.C.
Fans in the stands hope it shows just how far the state has come in encouraging the growth of lacrosse.
“Oh yeah, this is a great opportunity for many girls here in our local area, to be able to come and watch elite talent,” said Mark Miller, a spectator this week.:format(jpeg)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49153587/GettyImages-169563619.0.jpg)
Miller attended the tournament with his daughter, Maggie, a 13-year-old lacrosse player in Mooresville.
“Took her out of school and let her come down here and enjoy the day,” he said with a smile.
Two of Miller’s children play lacrosse in Mooresville schools, Maggie and his older son. He said that when they saw the ACC was bringing its 2023 Women’s Lacrosse Championship to Charlotte for the first time, he had to get tickets for the two of them.
To the West Virginia native, the American South is catching up to the Northeast in terms of lacrosse emphasis. He knows, because he has seen it at his kids’ programs.
“The number of high schools (that) have added a team, you have a lot of rec teams that are younger where girls are involved that used to maybe have 12 to 15 girls, now have up to 20,” Miller explained.
The growth is even on display within the ACC. Conference member Clemson University is in its first season with Division 1 women’s lacrosse.
Meanwhile, the state’s high schools added more than two dozen girls teams since 2015, according to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association.
Boys teams increased 20 teams since 2015, according to the same data.
Duke team mom Catherine Fedor visited Charlotte to root on her daughter, a graduate student and attacker. Mom says she is set to continue the sport’s growth after graduating.
“We’ve noticed that the travel teams are becoming more abundant and our daughter will actually be coaching a travel team this summer. Down here, when she gets her job in Wilmington,” Fedor said.
The ACC is also tipping its hand on the potential for growth of the sport in North Carolina. From 1997 to 2019, the Women’s Lacrosse Championship was held outside the state of North Carolina 15 times. Maryland, Virginia, and Massachusetts account for most of the hosting gigs, fitting for the traditional lacrosse footprint.
It was held in North Carolina during the same time period just eight times, a stark difference to the conference’s other athletic championships, which often call North Carolina home more than other states. However, since the canceled 2020 season, the women’s championship has been held in North Carolina every year, including this year’s first ever visit to Charlotte.
