Ncaa men’s di lacrosse semifinals may 27. NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Final Four 2023: Duke, Penn State, Notre Dame, Virginia Battle for Championship

Which teams are competing in the 2023 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Final Four. How did each team reach the semifinals. What are the key matchups and players to watch in the Penn State vs Duke and Notre Dame vs Virginia games. What factors could determine who advances to the national championship.

Table of Contents

The Road to Philadelphia: How the Final Four Teams Got Here

The 2023 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Final Four features an intriguing mix of perennial powerhouses and resurgent programs looking to cement their place among the sport’s elite. Let’s examine how each of the semifinalists punched their ticket to Philadelphia:

Penn State’s Remarkable Turnaround

After a disappointing 3-11 record in 2022, the Penn State Nittany Lions (11-4) engineered an impressive turnaround to reach championship weekend for just the second time in program history. Key to their success was the return of offensive stars TJ Malone and Jack Traynor from injury. Penn State secured their Final Four berth with thrilling one-goal victories over Princeton and Army in the NCAA tournament.

Duke Reclaims Its Spot Among the Elite

The Duke Blue Devils (15-2) reasserted themselves as a national title contender after surprisingly missing the 2022 NCAA tournament. Led by Tewaaraton Award finalist Brennan O’Neill, Duke showcased its championship pedigree with dominant wins over Delaware and Michigan to reach the Final Four.

Notre Dame’s Revenge Tour Continues

Like Duke, Notre Dame (12-2) was controversially left out of last year’s NCAA tournament field. The Fighting Irish have used that snub as motivation throughout their 2023 campaign, which saw them dispatch Johns Hopkins in the quarterfinals to reach championship weekend for the first time since 2015.

Virginia Seeks Back-to-Back Titles

The Virginia Cavaliers (13-3) enter the Final Four as the defending national champions and the nation’s most potent offensive unit. After narrowly escaping an upset bid from Richmond in the first round, Virginia flexed its muscle with a decisive quarterfinal victory over Georgetown.

Semifinal Matchup: (5) Penn State vs (1) Duke

The first semifinal on Saturday, May 27 at 12:00 PM EDT pits the fifth-seeded Penn State Nittany Lions against the top-seeded Duke Blue Devils. This marks the first meeting between these programs since 2010, with Duke holding a perfect 8-0 all-time record in the series.

Key Factors for Penn State

Defensive strategy: Will the Nittany Lions rely heavily on their zone defense or mix in more man-to-man coverage?
Health of Jack Posey: The status of Penn State’s All-American defenseman could significantly impact their game plan.
Offensive balance: Can Penn State’s deep stable of scorers create enough opportunities against Duke’s stingy defense?

Duke’s Path to Victory

Brennan O’Neill: Another dominant performance from the star attackman could propel Duke to the title game.
Defensive pressure: The Blue Devils’ ability to force turnovers was crucial in their quarterfinal win.
Goalie play: Graduate transfer William Helm has provided stability between the pipes for Duke.

Is Duke’s championship pedigree enough to overcome Penn State’s momentum? The Blue Devils enter as four-goal favorites, but the Nittany Lions have proven resilient throughout the tournament.

Semifinal Matchup: (3) Notre Dame vs (2) Virginia

The second semifinal on Saturday, May 27 at 2:30 PM EDT features a rematch of ACC rivals as third-seeded Notre Dame takes on second-seeded Virginia. The Cavaliers handed the Fighting Irish one of their two losses during the regular season.

Notre Dame’s Keys to Success

Defensive prowess: Can the Irish replicate their smothering quarterfinal performance against Virginia’s high-powered attack?
Offensive balance: Notre Dame will need contributions beyond star attackman Pat Kavanagh to keep pace with the Cavaliers.
Motivation factor: Will the “revenge tour” narrative continue to fuel Notre Dame’s postseason run?

Virginia’s Championship Blueprint

Offensive firepower: The Cavaliers boast the nation’s most prolific scoring attack, averaging over 15 goals per game.
Experience factor: As defending champions, Virginia knows what it takes to perform on the biggest stage.
Neutralizing Kavanagh: Limiting Notre Dame’s offensive catalyst will be crucial for the Cavaliers’ game plan.

Can Notre Dame’s defense contain Virginia’s explosive offense? The Irish will need a complete team effort to dethrone the defending champions and advance to Monday’s title game.

Impact Players to Watch in the Final Four

While lacrosse is the ultimate team sport, individual performances can often swing the outcome of high-stakes tournament games. Here are some key players who could make a significant impact during championship weekend:

Penn State

TJ Malone (Attack): The senior has been a revelation since returning from injury, leading the Nittany Lions with 65 points (33 goals, 32 assists).
Jack Traynor (Midfield): Another key returnee, Traynor’s two-way play has been crucial to Penn State’s success.
Jack Posey (Defense): If healthy, the honorable mention All-American will be tasked with slowing down Duke’s potent attack.

Duke

Brennan O’Neill (Attack): The Tewaaraton Award finalist is a matchup nightmare, capable of taking over games with his scoring and playmaking ability.
Kenny Brower (Defense): The Blue Devils’ lockdown defender will likely draw the assignment of guarding Penn State’s top offensive threat.
William Helm (Goalie): The graduate transfer has provided stability in net, making timely saves throughout Duke’s tournament run.

Notre Dame

Pat Kavanagh (Attack): One of the nation’s most dynamic playmakers, Kavanagh’s ability to create for himself and others is key to Notre Dame’s offense.
Chris Fake (Defense): The graduate student has anchored Notre Dame’s stingy defense all season.
Liam Entenmann (Goalie): The junior netminder has been a wall for the Irish, boasting a .570 save percentage.

Virginia

Connor Shellenberger (Attack): The junior quarterback of Virginia’s offense leads the team with 75 points (32 goals, 43 assists).
Payton Cormier (Attack): A pure finisher, Cormier’s 58 goals lead all players in this year’s Final Four.
Matthew Nunes (Goalie): The sophomore has grown more confident as the season progressed, anchoring Virginia’s improving defense.

Tactical Considerations: What to Watch For in Each Semifinal

As the teams make their final preparations, let’s examine some of the key tactical elements that could shape each semifinal matchup:

Penn State vs Duke: A Chess Match on Defense

How will Penn State defend Duke’s multi-faceted offense? The Nittany Lions have found success alternating between man-to-man and zone defenses throughout the season. However, Duke’s array of offensive weapons may force Penn State to adjust on the fly.

The Blue Devils will likely look to isolate their attackmen against short-stick midfielders, creating favorable matchups. Penn State’s ability to communicate and slide effectively will be crucial in limiting Duke’s scoring opportunities.

Notre Dame vs Virginia: Tempo Control is Key

This matchup features a classic contrast in styles. Virginia wants to push the pace and create transition opportunities for its high-powered offense. Notre Dame, on the other hand, prefers a more deliberate approach that allows its stifling defense to set up.

The team that can dictate the game’s tempo will have a significant advantage. Look for Virginia to emphasize aggressive rides after shots and turnovers, while Notre Dame focuses on patient possessions and strategic substitutions to control the flow of the game.

The X-Factor: Face-offs and Possession Battles

In tightly contested tournament games, face-off success can often be the difference between victory and defeat. Let’s examine how each team fares at the X and what impact this could have on the semifinals:

Penn State’s Face-off Concerns

The Nittany Lions have struggled at times in the face-off circle this season, winning just 46.7% of their draws. Against a Duke team that thrives on possession and wearing down defenses, this could be a significant issue for Penn State.

Duke’s Face-off Dominance

The Blue Devils boast one of the nation’s top face-off units, winning 62.7% of their draws. This advantage could allow Duke to control possession and tempo against Penn State, potentially leading to extended scoring runs.

Notre Dame’s Improved Face-off Performance

After early-season struggles, the Fighting Irish have found more consistency at the X. Graduate student Will Lynch has won 54.1% of his face-offs, providing Notre Dame with valuable extra possessions.

Virginia’s Face-off by Committee

The Cavaliers have utilized multiple face-off specialists throughout the season, winning 51.3% of their draws as a team. This approach allows Virginia to adapt to different opponents and maintain fresh legs in the circle.

Which team can gain an edge in the possession battle? The ability to win crucial face-offs, especially after goals or to start quarters, could play a major role in determining who advances to Monday’s championship game.

The Intangibles: Motivation, Experience, and Home Field Advantage

Beyond the Xs and Os, several intangible factors could influence the outcome of this year’s Final Four:

Motivation and Redemption

Both Duke and Notre Dame have used last year’s NCAA tournament snub as motivation throughout the 2023 season. Will this chip on their shoulder provide an extra boost in Philadelphia?

Penn State is looking to prove that its 2019 Final Four appearance was no fluke, while Virginia aims to cement its dynasty status with back-to-back national titles.

Championship Weekend Experience

Virginia holds a clear advantage in terms of recent Final Four experience, having won two of the last three national championships. How will the bright lights and pressure of championship weekend affect the other three teams?

Philadelphia Factor

While Lincoln Financial Field provides a neutral site, the proximity to Penn State’s campus could give the Nittany Lions a slight edge in fan support. Will a pro-Penn State crowd make a difference in a close game against Duke?

Predicting the Unpredictable: What to Expect in Philadelphia

As lacrosse fans well know, anything can happen once the whistle blows in a Final Four matchup. While Virginia enters as the favorite due to its explosive offense and championship pedigree, all four teams have demonstrated the ability to compete at an elite level.

The key questions that will determine the outcome of championship weekend include:

Can Penn State’s defense slow down Duke’s multi-faceted attack?
Will Notre Dame’s “revenge tour” narrative provide enough motivation to upset Virginia?
Can any defense contain Virginia’s record-setting offense for a full 60 minutes?
Which unheralded players will step up and become Final Four heroes?

No matter the results, lacrosse fans are in for a treat as these four outstanding teams battle for a chance to hoist the national championship trophy on Monday afternoon. The stage is set for an unforgettable weekend of high-level lacrosse in the sport’s biggest showcase.

The Essential NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Final Four Preview

The Essential NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Final Four Preview | USA Lacrosse Magazine

The Essential NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Final Four Preview

Fri May 26 2023 | Matt DaSilva | College
College Men NCAA Lacrosse Final Four

PHOTO BY MATT RILEY/UVA ATHLETICS

Connor Shellenberger and Virginia take on Chris Fake and Notre Dame in the NCAA semifinals Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

HOW YA LIKE ME NOW?

The NCAA Division I men’s lacrosse semifinals include three teams that didn’t even make the tournament last year. Duke and Notre Dame notably sat out the dance despite demonstrating down the stretch that they were championship weekend-caliber outfits. Penn State’s season was sandbagged by April.

What a difference a year makes.

Here’s a look at the matchups, how they got here, what to watch for, the latest lines and more at the climax of the 2023 college lacrosse season.

(5) PENN STATE VS. (1) DUKE

Date: Saturday, May 27
Time: 12 p.m. EDT
Venue: Lincoln Financial Field
City: Philadelphia
Tickets: Buy Here

TV: ESPN2
Stream: Watch ESPN

HOW THEY GOT HERE

(5) Penn State (11-4, 4-1 Big Ten)

The Nittany Lions were better than their abysmal 3-11 record in 2022. Six of their losses were by two goals or fewer. TJ Malone missed the entire season while rehabbing from hip and sports hernia surgeries. Jack Traynor played in just six games. Now they’re the top two scorers for Penn State, the Big Ten regular season co-champion. Malone (33 goals, 32 assists) and Traynor (31 goals, 16 assists) lead a deep Nittany Lions offense with nine players producing double figures. Penn State advanced to championship weekend for the second time in four years (it was the top seed in 2019) by erasing a six-goal deficit to beat Princeton 13-12 in the first round and holding off Army in a 10-9 quarterfinal win last week in Annapolis, Md.

(1) Duke (15-2, 5-1 ACC)

That first-round scare against Delaware prepared the Blue Devils well for their quarterfinal defeat of Michigan in Albany, N.Y. They were excellent on both ends of the field. Brennan O’Neill put on a Tewaaraton-worthy performance with six goals in the 15-8 victory. Kenny Brower anchored a defense that snuffed out the red-hot Wolverines, causing four turnovers. Duke caused 12 of Michigan’s 18 turnovers overall. And when the Wolverines were able to muster an attack, St. Lawrence transfer William Helm proved a reliable safety valve. The 6-foot-3 graduate goalie William Helm made 14 saves.

SERIES HISTORY

This is the first game between Penn State and Duke since 2010. The Blue Devils are 8-0 all-time in the series.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

How much zone defense Penn State plays. The Nittany Lions have had success toggling between man-to-man and zone sets, but the Blue Devils are so multi-dimensional on offense that they’ll capitalize quickly on matchup uncertainty. Penn State’s defensive game plan also hinges on the health of honorable mention All-American defenseman Jack Posey, who exited last week’s game against Army with a leg injury.

THE LATEST LINES

Duke is a four-goal favorite on DraftKings and a 4.5-goal favorite on FanDuel, with the total set at 25.5 on both sites.

COACH SPEAK

Jeff Tambroni, Penn State: “In 2019, there was definitely a lot of pressure on that team coming in as the No. 1 seed. There was a lot of notoriety, a lot of publicity. Our first time ever winning a playoff game. First time ever being in the final four. The pressure to win was greater than the privilege and pleasure to be there. With this group, there were not a lot of expectations. Maybe that is a good thing.”

John Danowski, Duke: “Besides the team meeting we had the day after the season ended, we haven’t really talked about [not making the 2022 tournament] much. That was last year. I’m not living in the past.”

(3) NOTRE DAME VS. (2) VIRGINIA

Date: Saturday, May 27
Time: 2:30 p.m. EDT
Venue: Lincoln Financial Field
City: Philadelphia
Tickets: Buy Here

TV: ESPN2
Stream: Watch ESPN