Weekend One-Liners: What to Watch for in Women's Lacrosse

It’s back.

Last weekend’s men’s slate seemed like a soft launch to the 2023 season — there was only one clash between ranked teams and one sort-of-upset (previously unranked Johns Hopkins upended then-No. 18 Jacksonville).

The women’s Division I opening-weekend schedule couldn’t be more different. Six games between ranked teams are on top, highlighted by the annual appointment-viewing clash between No. 6 Syracuse and No. 5 Northwestern on Saturday at the Dome. The defending champs and top-ranked Tar Heels begin their title defense against a familiar foe in No. 12 James Madison.

In short, get ready to stream surf. Here’s a one-sentence pitch on the games worth watching.

Check out our updated TV listings for all the games to stream.

No. 10 Denver at Louisville, Friday, 1 p.m. (ACCNX)

Louisville pushed another team from the Rocky Mountain State, Colorado, to overtime in the 2022 opener, but the Cardinals will have their hands full with Denver’s “hot pink” defense that adds grad transfer Trinity McPherson to a unit that finished fifth in scoring defense (8.38) last year.

Navy at No. 11 Duke, Friday, 2 p.m. (ACCNX)

Draw control wizard Maddie Jenner will look to do the usual in the circle as the Blue Devils square off with a Mids program retooling after the graduations of three starting defenders and its top three goal scorers.

Vermont at Temple, Friday, 3 p.m. (ESPN+)

Reigning America East tournament champion Vermont and 2022 AAC semifinalist Temple collide in a game between teams jockeying for national attention.

No. 18 Michigan at No. 19 Jacksonville, Friday, 4 p.m. (Dolphins All-Access)

The Tara Singleton era begins as do-it-all midfielder Molly Brock leads No. 19 Jacksonville against a new-look No. 18 Michigan team ready to debut a new starting goalie and top options on attack.

Upset Watch: No 13 Virginia at No. 9 Stanford, Friday, 9 p.m. (Stanford Live Stream)

Ashley Humphrey headlines the list of returners for Pac-12 defending champion Stanford — but the Cavs have a veteran offense of their own in Ashlyn McGovern, Rachel Clark and Katie Miller.

Howard vs. Delaware State, Saturday, 11 a.m. (ACCNX)

The two HBCUs open the season in Chapel Hill in a game that’s about far more than lacrosse.

Game of the Week: No. 5 Northwestern at No. 6 Syracuse, Saturday, 12 p.m. (ACCNX)

Coaches Kayla Treanor and Kelly Amonte Hiller will tell you February games don’t mean much, but expect playoff intensity in this heavyweight bout that offers a first look at Preseason Player of the Year Meaghan Tyrrell and Izzy Scane’s return. 

No. 18 Michigan at No. 8 Florida, Saturday, 12 p.m. (ESPN+)

The Wolverines may be escaping the Michigan winter with a double-dip in Florida this weekend, but there will be no skirting a Florida team that includes heralded attackers Emma LoPinto and Danielle Pavinelli and top-flight goalie Sarah Reznick.

Saint Joseph’s at No. 2 Maryland, Saturday, 1 p.m. (B1G+)

Maryland’s defense returns nearly everyone and adds Marge Donovan and top 2022 recruit Kennedy Major — the Lauren Figura-less A-10 champion Hawks will have their hands full.

No. 12 James Madison at No. 1 UNC, Saturday, 2 p.m. (ACCNX)

Isabella Petersen leads No. 12 JMU against a still-loaded, top-ranked UNC highlighted by attacker Caitlyn Wurzburger, midfielder Olivia Dirks and defenders Emily Nalls and Brooklyn Walker-Welch.

No. 7 Rutgers at No. 19 Jacksonville, Sunday, 1 p.m. (Dolphin’s All-Access)

Singleton didn’t pull any punches when scheduling her inaugural non-conference schedule, which includes an opening-weekend matchup with an emerging Rutgers team that returns Big Ten Midfielder of the Year Cassidy Spilis.