Top-Ranked UNC Faces Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Game Nine Preview

Emerson Raymont

Published: April 11, 2026 8:42 PM ET

Top-Ranked UNC Faces Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Game Nine Preview

No. 1 North Carolina and No. 2 Notre Dame will meet for a pivotal lacrosse matchup. This highly anticipated game is set for April 11 at 5 p.m. ET, taking place at Arlotta Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Admission is free, and fans can watch the game on ACCN. The event is also designated as the Military Appreciation Game.

Game Overview

Date: April 11
Time: 5 p.m. ET
Location: Arlotta Stadium, South Bend, Indiana
Admission: Free
Broadcast: ACCN

Meetings Between Notre Dame and UNC

This marks the 26th meeting between the two programs.
Notre Dame leads the series with a record of 14-11.
Fifteen of the previous encounters were decided by two goals or fewer.
The Irish have won five of the last six matchups since 2019, with the last win being 12-6 in Chapel Hill.

Notre Dame’s Performance Against Ranked Teams

Notre Dame has demonstrated resilience against top competition in recent seasons, achieving a record of 27-8 against ranked teams since 2023. Key statistics include:

Fifteen wins came by five goals or more.
Record against top-10 teams: 20-5 since 2023.
Current season record against ranked teams: 4-0.

Notre Dame vs. Top-Ranked Teams

This will be the 12th encounter against a top-ranked team for the Irish. Notable points include:

Record against No. 1 teams: 6-5.
They have excelled recently, holding a 6-1 record against No. 1 opponents since 2015.
They previously defeated No. 1 Richmond last weekend, 12-8.

Offensive Strength of Notre Dame

Notre Dame is recognized for its potent offense, averaging 13.75 goals per game, which ranks 11th nationally. Their offensive statistics include:

Points per game: 21.88 (10th nationally).
Assists per game: 8.13 (12th nationally).
Shooting percentage: 32.8% (9th nationally).

Key Players and Scoring

The Fighting Irish have a balanced attack with several players making significant contributions. Key players include:

Josh Yago: Leads the team with 29 points (20 goals, 9 assists).
Luke Miller: 25 points (17 goals, 8 assists).
Brock Behrman: 21 points (11 goals, 10 assists).

Defensive Achievements

Defensively, Notre Dame has shown strength, with Preseason All-Americans Will Donovan and Shawn Lyght leading the charge. Key highlights include:

Held Maryland to a season-low eight goals.
Allowed only eight goals against Ohio State and four against Michigan.
Thomas Ricciardelli has made key saves, achieving a 7-1 record this season.

Coaching Excellence

Head coach Kevin Corrigan has achieved remarkable success, surpassing 311 wins at the Division I level. His coaching accolades are noteworthy, including:

Overall record of 377-181 in 40 seasons.
Longest-tenured men’s lacrosse coach in Division I history.

As the Fighting Irish prepare for their encounter against the Tar Heels, the game promises to be a thrilling display of college lacrosse, showcasing some of the sport’s best talents and competitive spirit.