US Lacrosse Magazine released the Nike/US Lacrosse Division I Men’s Preseason Top 20 on Dec. 17. Team-by-team previews will be unveiled on uslaxmagazine.com through the end of the month and will also appear as part of the magazine’s NCAA preview edition in February.

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No. 6 Notre Dame

2019 Record: 9-7 (2-2, Atlantic Coast Conference)
Coach: Kevin Corrigan (31st year)
Assistants: Ryan Wellner, Chris Wojcik

All-Time Record: 358-182
NCAA Appearances: 23
Final Fours: 5
Championships: 0

2020 Schedule

Save the Date
March 19

Any matchup between Notre Dame and Virginia can be an instant classic, but it takes on new meaning with the Cavaliers entering 2020 as defending national champions.

Costabile Headlines Experienced Irish Offense

The last time college lacrosse fans saw Notre Dame, the Irish fell in a back-and-forth battle with Duke in the NCAA quarterfinals last May. It signaled another loss in the tournament’s first two rounds — and another year passed since Notre Dame made the NCAA championship game in 2015.

Coach Kevin Corrigan and his program, though, have put themselves in a position to make a run almost every season. In total, the Irish have advanced to the NCAA tournament as the seventh seed or higher in the last nine seasons.

That consistency is due in part to Corrigan’s ability to recruit and reload the Irish program. New names have risen to the occasion each season, and the 2020 season should be no different. Despite a veteran core returning to South Bend, the Irish will welcome contributions from underclassmen if they want to compete for a national title.

“Even when you have a veteran team coming back, you replace a quarter of the locker room and that changes the dynamic,” Corrigan said. “You’ve always got new pieces to add, and the challenge is to put those new pieces in place in a way that helps them incorporate into the team.”

But it all starts with Bryan Costabile, Notre Dame’s Tewaaraton-worthy midfielder. In the absence of Ryder Garnsey for much of 2019, Costabile stepped up to the tune of 42 goals. He’ll be the leader of this offense — a testament to his work ethic in South Bend.

“He’s always among the hardest workers that we’ve had,” Corrigan said. “I’m delighted that people think of him [as a Tewaaraton threat], but at the same time it puts a target on his back. We have to manage the fact that people are going to try to scheme against him and be aware of where he is at all times. He’s got a poise and confidence, and recognizing those things is the next step.”

Costabile will lead an offense featuring known commodities like Connor Morin, Wheaton Jackoboice and Griffin Westlin. But a freshman attackman with a familiar surname in South Bend may also have a say.

Pat Kavanagh, brother of former Irish great Matt Kavanagh, comes to Notre Dame with U.S. U19 training team experience. His former Chaminade (N.Y.) and current U.S. U19 teammate, goalie Liam Entenmann, also could challenge for playing time as a freshman.

Notre Dame is a perennial national championship contender still waiting to reach the pinnacle. With more than 60 percent of its starts returning and a strong freshman class, 2020 very much could be the year the Irish strike gold.

Projected Starters

A – Connor Morin – Jr. – 23 G, 13 A
A – Wheaton Jackoboice – Jr. – 15 G, 13 A
A – Griffin Westlin – Soph. – 5 G, 7 A
M – Brian Costabile – Sr. – 42 G, 13 GB
M – Brian Willetts – Sr. – 27 G, 9 A
M – Quinn McCahon – Sr. – 9 G, 10 A
FO – Charles Leonard – 58.5 FO%
SSDM – John Hallenbeck – Jr.  – 11 GB, 4 CT
LSM – Eric Restic – Sr.  – 31 GB, 1 G
D – Arden Cohen – Jr. – 45 GB, 16 CT
D – Jack Kielty – Sr. – 50 GB, 10 CT
D – Charlie Trense – Gr. – 4 GB, 3 CT
G – Liam Entenmann – Fr.

Tewaaraton Watch
Bryan Costabile, M, Sr.

Costabile led the Irish with 48 points last season, stepping up in the absence of offensive threat Ryder Garnsey for most of the year. He broke the Notre Dame single-season record with 42 goals. Costabile is the anchor of the Notre Dame midfield and should lead the team in offensive production once again.

X Factor
Morrison Mirer, M, Jr.

Mirer’s name burst onto the national spotlight when he dropped four goals in an NCAA tournament first-round victory over Johns Hopkins. He’s shown flashes of skill in the stacked Notre Dame midfield. Although he likely won’t start, he’ll play a significant role throughout the season.

National Rankings

5.38

Notre Dame averaged just over five assisted goals per game last season, ranked 60th in Division I. The Irish didn’t spread the ball that well in 2019 but bring back a wealth of talent that could have that number rising this coming spring.

Enemy Lines

“You always know they’re going to be consistent, they’re always going to be smart and it’s going to be a challenge. When you walk off the field after a Notre Dame game, you’re exhausted emotionally, physically and mentally.”

“Despite an up-and-down season, the Irish were an OT goal away from heading to final four weekend. Like Yale, they will have to replace two assistant coaches. The transition will be helped by a solid returning group.”