March Madness is one of the most exciting times of the year to be a sports fan. There is something special about highly touted competition coming together in games where everything is on the line. In the college lacrosse world, there’s no time to mess around in March, and this week as we have several ranked opponents facing off on Saturday. To take a page from basketball, lacrosse’s March Madness begins now.
Saturday Ranked Matchups
#4 Cornell vs #11 Yale
Game Time: 12:00pm
The lone unbeaten team in the Ivy League, Cornell looks to propel itself further into the Memorial Day Weekend conversation by beating the bulldogs. Look for CJ Kirst and John Piatelli to lead the offense, while Chayse Ierlan backstops the defense.
It’s finally here — Ivy League Game Week! Back to work. 🔨 #WD>WS #LGR (📸: Eldon Lindsay/Cornell Athletics) pic.twitter.com/o7tefkn2Va
— Big Red Lacrosse (@CornellLacrosse) March 14, 2022
#16 Notre Dame vs #19 Michigan
Game Time: 12:00pm
Michigan suffered its first loss to a talented and gritty Harvard team, while Notre Dame lost its third straight and fell to 1-3. While the records look lopsided, keep in mind that Notre Dame has lost to Georgetown, Maryland, and Ohio State, all by 5 or less. The Irish have the talent to compete with everyone, but it appears the pieces haven’t fit together yet to finish games against the Top 10.
Sophomore Shane Carr ranks No. 2️⃣ in the NCAA in goals-against-average.#GoBlue〽️ pic.twitter.com/6SZD9FyTar
— Michigan Men's Lacrosse (@UMichLacrosse) March 16, 2022
#17 Harvard vs #15 Brown
Game Time: 1:00pm
The so called “middle” of the Ivy League is a difficult place to be as both teams have played competitive lacrosse against Top 10 teams but lack the signature wins to bolster their resumes. Complete coin flip.
We'll return home this weekend to kick off a four-game homestand with our Ivy League opener against No. 13 Brown on Saturday at 1pm!
— Harvard Men's Lacrosse (@HarvardMLax) March 17, 2022
🎟️: https://t.co/wtG6fhrnNz
📰: https://t.co/E3f4quzJDZ#GoCrimson #HLX1881 pic.twitter.com/TxkJwMDXLo
#3 Princeton vs #6 Penn
Game Time: 1:00pm
No one knew exactly how good the Ivy League would be preseason, but here we are with six ranked teams, including three in the top six. Princeton has looked more impressive against tougher competition, slight edge to the Tigers.
It’s a Top 10 Ivy-opening matchup as No. 3 Princeton hosts No. 6 Penn.
— Princeton Men's Lacrosse (@TigerLacrosse) March 18, 2022
Preview: https://t.co/gaO3IeVnmo
Tickets: https://t.co/xNgpvxwqBG pic.twitter.com/gIqlINhbpq
#1 Maryland vs #2 Virginia
Game Time: 3:00pm
All eyes will be on College Park as the Cavaliers visit the Terps on Saturday at 3. Hammer the over in this one as both teams are built to score in bunches. Shellenberger and Cormier have 64 points while Wisnauskas and Donville have 55… Its a bad day to be a goalie.
One day closer.#BeTheBest pic.twitter.com/m7W2NFU6Lg
— Maryland Lacrosse (@TerpsMLax) March 17, 2022
Notable Games to Watch
#5 Georgetown vs #RV Utah
Game Time: 11:00am
#RV Stony Brook vs #RV Syracuse
Game Time: 3:00pm
#7 Ohio State vs #RV Denver (SUNDAY)
Game Time: 12:00pm
#RV High Point vs #10 North Carolina (SUNDAY)
Game Time: 12:00pm