South Bend, IN – In a commanding performance at the Loftus Sports Center on February 12, 2025, Notre Dame (1-0) overwhelmed Cleveland State (0-2) with a dominant 24-6 victory in college lacrosse. The game was an early-season test for both teams, with Notre Dame showing their offensive power and defensive resilience while Cleveland State struggled to keep pace.
The Fighting Irish wasted no time setting the tone, opening the scoring just 18 seconds into the game. Chris Kavanagh, who finished with four goals and five assists, was central to Notre Dame’s offensive assault, setting up several goals and contributing to their overwhelming 51 shots throughout the game. Jake Taylor was the star of the first half, scoring five goals and adding two assists, bringing his season total to 7 goals through one game.
Notre Dame’s relentless attack quickly put the Vikings on their heels, building a 7-2 lead by the end of the first quarter. The Irish scored six of those goals in a span of just over three minutes, including a three-goal burst in under a minute, with Taylor and Kavanagh combining for most of the damage. Cleveland State showed some resilience, with Xander Johnson (8:29) and Amiri Austin (6:17) scoring their only goals of the first quarter.
Though the Vikings found the back of the net twice early in the second quarter, including a man-up goal from Brennen Hickey, the Irish’s offense was simply too potent. By halftime, Notre Dame had expanded their lead to 15-2, with contributions from several different players. Kavanagh and Taylor were the focal points, but goals from Logan Gutzwiller, Colin Hagstrom, and Brock Behrman ensured that the Irish offense was firing on all cylinders.
Cleveland State was not without its moments of promise. Will Adair, Jacob Lubrant, and Adam Van Voorhis each scored in the second half, showing some fight as they sought to make a dent in the Irish’s commanding lead. Despite their efforts, Notre Dame’s defense remained strong, with goalkeeper Thomas Ricciardelli stopping 5 shots and backup Alex Zepf adding another 5 in relief. The Irish defense held Cleveland State to just 26 shots, with 17 finding their way on goal.
The Vikings’ difficulties in maintaining possession also played a key role in the lopsided scoreline. Cleveland State committed 16 turnovers, while Notre Dame had only 9. Additionally, the Irish dominated the faceoff circle, winning 20 of 33 attempts, led by Will Lynch who was strong all game long.
In the second half, Notre Dame continued to pour it on. Jake Vasquez and Drew Wynocker each added their names to the score sheet in the fourth quarter, with the Irish finishing the game with a 24-6 scoreline. Cleveland State struggled to find offensive rhythm, and their defense was overwhelmed by the Irish’s depth and speed.
Despite the lopsided score, Cleveland State’s players, including goalie Justin Dalum, who made 9 saves, showed determination in a tough matchup. However, it was clear that Notre Dame’s high-powered offense and disciplined defense were simply too much to overcome.
With the victory, Notre Dame remains undefeated to start the season, while Cleveland State will look to regroup as they prepare for their next contest.
