The Michigan Men’s Lacrosse program is riding the wave of their best season since becoming a Division I program back in 2012. Despite finishing the season with a 10-7 record, including a 2-3 performance in Big Ten conference play, their achievements were nothing short of remarkable. They achieved what many thought was impossible.
The pinnacle of their success was undoubtedly their victory over Ohio State not once, but twice, coupled with a dominant 14-5 win over Maryland in the Big Ten Tournament Championship. This triumphant journey led them to the Quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament, marking a historic milestone for the program.
The 2022-23 University of Michigan’s men’s lacrosse team etched their name into program history with a record-breaking 10 wins, a Big Ten Tournament championship, their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance and win, along with a string of accolades including three All-Big Ten honorees and the program’s first-ever USILA All-America selection.
As they headed into the postseason, Michigan was ranked No. 15 in the USILA Coaches poll and climbed as high as No. 14 during week 12. In addition, they entered the postseason as the No. 8 team in the Inside Lacrosse media poll, their highest ranking ever, and secured the No. 12 spot in the NCAA RPI rankings.
Players like junior Michael Boehm, senior Josh Zawada, and junior Justin Wietfeldt were shining stars, earning All-Big Ten first-team honors. Seven Wolverines, including Boehm, Zawada, Wietfeldt, graduate students Bryce Clay and Andrew Darby, junior Jack Whitney, and freshman Hunter Taylor, found themselves on the Big Ten All-Tournament team, with Boehm earning the tournament MVP title after recording 10 goals and five assists (15 points).
But as the 2024 season approaches, the spotlight shifts. Senior Michael Boehm, on the brink of a historic career, stands at 99 career goals and 73 career assists. His performance this year will be pivotal, but he won’t be alone in this journey. Ryan Cohen, who recorded 27 goals and 30 assists last season, will be by his side.
However, the Wolverines are not without challenges. The departure of standout player Josh Zawada, who chose to join Duke during the past offseason, leaves a noticeable void. Furthermore, the team will miss the contributions of key goal scorers like Peter Thompson, Bryce Clay, and Jacob Jackson, all of whom recorded over 20 points last season. While they may not have been the faces of the team, their roles were crucial to the team’s success.
Michigan’s success in 2024 will depend on new faces stepping up to fill these voids and adapt to their new team dynamics. The Big Ten lacrosse landscape is renowned for its brutal competitiveness, with no easy games in the conference. While Maryland and Johns Hopkins remain at the top, teams like Ohio State, Rutgers, and Penn State always pose a threat.
Michigan’s out-of-conference schedule this year presents early opportunities and challenges. They kick off the season facing Virginia on the road, a formidable opponent that could set the tone for the season. While victory here would be a confidence booster, the odds are stacked against them. I have the Wolverines sadly walking away with a loss here. Subsequent games against Canisius, Hobart, and Marquette should all be wins that help the team build chemistry.
I feel the Wolverines will be 3-1 heading into games against Jacksonville, Delaware, and Harvard, all of which will be eager to take on the Big Ten Tournament champions. All three of these games will be fantastic battles, however I predict that Michigan will drop one of the three games here, bringing their overall record to 5-2. The Wolverines then face the defending national champions, Notre Dame, in South Bend, a rematch from last year’s blowout. This would be a difficult game for any team in the country, but I don’t see the Wolverines walking out of South Bend with the upset.
As it stands right now the Wolverines would enter conference play with a 5-3 record, but they’ll be battle-tested. Their Big Ten schedule this year is a gauntlet, featuring road games against Hopkins, Penn State, and Ohio State. Success won’t come easy, and replicating their 2023 achievements will be a tall order. Michigan should finish conference play 3-2 rounding out the regular season at 8-5, which would still be a great achievement coming out of the Big Ten.
While an 8-5 regular season record is commendable, it may be challenging to match the surprising run of 2023. The Michigan faithful may hold high hopes for a conference title in 2024, but the competitive nature of the Big Ten makes it a formidable challenge.
Coach Conry’s team will undoubtedly give it their all, but surpassing their previous success will be a tough feat. The Michigan lacrosse program has a bright future, but the journey ahead promises to be both thrilling and demanding.
