Notre Dame Kicks Off 2025 Lacrosse Season Against Cleveland State

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish, fresh off their back-to-back national titles, are set to begin the 2025 lacrosse season against Cleveland State at 6 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Feb. 12, inside the Loftus Sports Center. The game will be broadcast live on ACCNX.

This matchup marks the fifth meeting between the two teams, with Notre Dame holding a 4-0 advantage in the series. The Irish won the last encounter decisively, 25-3, on Feb. 14, 2024, with standout performances by Jake Taylor, Chris Kavanagh, and Pat Kavanagh, who contributed significantly to the victory.

Notre Dame boasts an impressive record of 37-7 in season openers and has won a remarkable 22 consecutive opening games. Since 2002, the Irish have only lost one season opener, a 10-9 overtime loss to Penn State. Under head coach Kevin Corrigan, Notre Dame’s home opener record stands at 40-4.

The Fighting Irish have excelled in February play, holding a 37-5 record in their last 42 outings during the month, dating back to 2006. Coach Corrigan’s February record with the team stands at 46-8.

Chris Kavanagh, who had an exceptional 2024 season with 81 points, looks to lead the offense again in 2025. He set a program record for points in a season, achieving 44 goals and 37 assists. Kavanagh also made history during the NCAA tournament, earning Most Outstanding Player honors and tying the program record for goals in a tournament game with five.

Shawn Lyght emerged as a top cover defenseman during his 2024 freshman season, earning preseason All-America status. He proved his skill by limiting opponents, including holding Connor Shellenberger and Joey Spallina to minimal points.

The Fighting Irish’s faceoff specialist Will Lynch enjoyed a stellar season, winning 61.2% of his attempts, which led the Atlantic Coast Conference and ranked fourth nationally. Lynch’s efforts proved pivotal in multiple matches as he scooped up a team-high 113 ground balls.

Notre Dame’s defensive unit concluded the 2024 season with a nation-leading average of 8.94 goals allowed per game. The team successfully limited the opposition to ten goals or fewer in 12 of 17 games last season, showcasing their defensive prowess.

As the Irish prepare for the 2025 season, they welcome back significant offensive talent, including seven of their top ten scorers. The squad returns 71.8% of its goals from last season, indicating a promising outlook for the upcoming campaign.

Prior to the season, Notre Dame garnered numerous preseason accolades, leading the nation with four players on the Tewaaraton Watch List, as well as nine players earning Inside Lacrosse All-America citations.

Fans can follow live updates on social media and through the official Notre Dame Lacrosse website. The Irish look to kick off their 2025 campaign on a high note against Cleveland State.