Game of the Year: In Battle of Nation's Top Two Teams, No. 2 Maryland Outlasts Top-Ranked Notre Dame, 11-10

No stranger to tight matchups throughout the history of their rivalry, Notre Dame and Maryland met Saturday in Atlanta in a battle that captured the attention of lacrosse fans across the country. A rematch of last season's national title bout, both top-ranked Notre Dame and No. 2 Maryland brought their best, as a slug fest developed right out of the gates.

Photo by University of Notre Dame Athletics

Looking to begin the 2025 campaign a perfect four-for-four, the Irish (3-0 overall), used an aggressive wave of speed to push the Terrapins (4-0) back on their heels in the early going.

Only 80 seconds into the contest -- which was played at Bobby Dodd Stadium, home of the University of Georgia Tech's football team -- Jake Taylor started the scoring for the two-time defending national champions.

Left on an island, the graduate student sent a quick-release, behind-the-back rocket between the pipes, putting the Irish up 1-0. Taylor, who registered two goals on four shots in last season's national title win over Maryland, entered the day with 10 goals on 19 shots this season.

Looking to keep the tempo rolling, the white and gold fired off another score 43 seconds later when Chris Kavanagh buried a top-shelf beauty past Terps keeper Logan McNaney. Kavanagh's 10th of the season had the Irish up a quick 2-0.

With the Irish leading 3-1 following Jordan Faison's second goal of the season, the Terps -- who have relied heavily on a defensive unit that has surrendered just over seven goals per game this season -- went to work on the offensive end late in the first half.

After tying the game at three, Maryland's Daniel Kelly gave the black and red its first lead of the game by beating beat Irish netminder Thomas Ricciardelli with a dart between the legs. With 6:50 left in the half, Maryland led, 4-3.

Not to be outdone, however, Taylor answered back for the Irish off a pretty feed from junior Max Busenkell with an even six minutes left before break.

Moments later, Notre Dame would take back the lead, this time with Busenkell sending one in goal. Off an incredible feed from Will Angrick, who was in a seated position after getting blasted to the ground, the Garnet Valley, PA, native put the Irish out ahead, 5-4, a lead they'd take into halftime.

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While the first half bout, at least from a scoring edge, might have gone to the Irish, the second half belonged to the Terrapins.

A string of three-straight goals, capped by Kelly's second of the game, put the four-time NCAA champions up 7-5 with just over four minutes remaining in a third quarter that was completely dominated by the Terps.

Leading 8-6 through three frames, Maryland continued its confident play into the fourth quarter. Even after an acrobatic and physical goal by Kavanagh brought Notre Dame back to within a goal at 8-7 early in the fourth, the Terps -- who entered the game having lost their past three matchups in this series -- kept the physicality at a high level.

Forcing the Irish into uncharacteristic turnovers throughout the game, the 2022 national champs stretched their lead to 10-7 with under 10 minutes to go in the game. Goals by Braden Erksa and Eric Spanos, coupled with the incredible play of McNaney in net, had the Terps in control of a game against an Irish team that had averaged 19 goals per game prior to the showdown in Atlanta.

But as history as shown, the Irish don't go down quietly.

With 6:53 remaining, Kavanagh popped in his third of the day to bring ND back to within two at 10-8. Moments later, the senior found the back of the net one more time, absorbing a blow and forcing a late-hit penalty on Maryland in the process, as Notre Dame had visions of knotting up the contest.

Despite the sudden surge by the Irish, however, the Terps were able to settle back into their comfort zone at the six-minute mark of the fourth. Kelly's third of the game, this time off an assist by Jack McDonald, put his side out in front 11-9.

The final 90 seconds of action was what you'd expect in a battle between the nation's two best teams.

Faison's second of the game brought the Irish to within one at 11-10 with under 1:30 to go, and after yet another FO win by Will Lynch, the Irish had a late opportunity to even things up.

With Kavanagh looking for his fifth goal of the game, the superstar senior had a great look, went low on goal, but was turned aside by McNaney. The graduate student's 16th save of the day was his biggest, as it sealed UMD's 11-10 triumph.

The 11-10 loss for Notre Dame (3-1) was the first defeat over its last 18 games (regular and postseason combined) and first in the last four against Maryland (5-0).

What’s Next for the Irish?

Notre Dame welcomes No. 17 Ohio State to Arlotta Stadium for a 2 p.m. ET start next Saturday, March 8 before traveling to Ann Arbor for a date with Michigan on March 15.

The Irish hold a 16-5 all-time record against the Buckeyes, and a 6-1 mark against the Wolverines.

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