Welcome to On the Run. Here's what you need to know about what happened in college lacrosse this weekend, plus some little things that I loved. Quick and easy to read while you're on the run!

Today’s writeup in a snapshot 📸:

• 👀 The Headliner: Syracuse Finally Beats ND

• 🤝 Supporting Cast: Rutgers Gets Highest Ranked Win Ever

• 🎯 Quick Hits: Matt Traynor

• 📈 On the Rise: Brown’s Brady O’Kane

• 🏆 Unit of the Week: Ohio State’s Offense

👀 The Headliner: Syracuse Earns First Win Over Notre Dame Since 2018

The storyline that stole the show this weekend.

We’ve gotten used to Notre Dame dominating this matchup, winning seven straight over the Orange since 2019:

• 13-10 in 2019

• 18-11 in 2021

• 22-8 in 2021

• 22-6 in 2022

• 18-11 in 2022

• 20-12 in 2023

• 14-12 in 2024

So while every game will be a big game for Syracuse in 2025 with national title aspirations, it felt like this game was espicially important for the Orange. Not only did they want to prove they could beat the class of the ACC, they wanted to beat a team that has simply dominated them over the past five years.

In front of a crowd of 11,268 (first game in Dome since 2015 with 10,000 fans), it looked like it might be more of the same after the Fighting Irish scored three goals in the first four minutes.

But then Syracuse held Notre Dame scoreless for nearly 40 minutes, as Jimmy McCool made some big time saves while Riley Figuerias, Billy Dwan and Michael Grace held down the backline.

Offensively, Joey Spallina (4G, 1A) and Owen Hiltz (2G, 2A) were awesome off-ball, finding openings and firing home shots while Michael Leo (2G), Sam English (2G) and Wyatt Hottle (2G) found success dodging the Notre Dame SSDM’s.

While it wasn’t a great offensive performance from Notre Dame, I also don’t think it’s too concerning. It’s a game Syracuse had circled on their calendar, and the Orange played a great game.

This is a matchup I absolutely cannot wait to watch again.

🤝 The Supporting Cast

The things that weren't maybe the star of the weekend, but still important.

1. Rutgers Upsets Maryland 8-6 🚨

I did say that anything could happen in conference play, but this result is pretty surprising.

This was the Scarlet Knights highest ranked in program history and the first win over Maryland since 1980.

Rutgers was only averaging ~8 goals against ranked opponents coming into this game, so all the Terps needed to do was get to double digits.

And they would’ve if not for Cardin Stoller.

The Rutgers goaltender made 14 saves, most of which were very good chances from the Terps that usually find the back of the net.

On top of that, with three minutes left in the game, Stoller flung a ball towards the empty net on a Maryland 10-man ride that found the back of the net, putting Rutgers up 8-5.

It was one of the most dominating performances we’ve seen at any position this season.

2. Loyola Gets First Win of 2025 ✅

The Greyhounds!

A game that I was not planning on watching turned into one of my favorites of the afternoon.

0-9 Loyola tied the game up late in the 4th quarter, and they even had a chance to win it in regulation as Matthew Minicus (5G, 2A) kept a ball in bounds to allow Henry Haberman to get an awesome look that was stonewalled by goalie Luke Renaud.

In overtime, Bucknell’s Peter Grandolfo had his shot of the faceoff wing saved by Max Watkinson before Ryan McGorry found Brady West on a pick and roll to secure the Hounds first win in 351 days.

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🎯 Quick Hits

The weekend's standout plays, hustle moments, and everything in between.

📈 On the Rise

Spotlighting players and teams who are setting themselves up for big things ahead.

1. Brown’s Brady O’Kane 🐻

The freshman registered his first career hat trick in a loss to Cornell on Saturday.

A springy righty dodger and finisher, O’Kane played with confidence in one of the biggest games of the season, including this beautiful finish on the interior.

He figures to be a big part of Brown’s offense not just this season, but in the seasons to come.

2. High Point’s Carson Robins 👿

It makes sense Robins dons the #55 jersey worn by Brayden Mayea, High Point’s all time leading goal scorer.

Playing a relatively similar style to Mayea, the lefty Canadian is a great finisher and scorer. Inserted to the starting lineup in March, Robins had 6 points (3G, 3A) in a huge conference win over UMass this weekend.

🏆 Unit of the Week: Ohio State’s Offense

Which unit caught my eye this week?

Ohio State is the hottest team in nation after winning 11 straight and opening up Big Ten play 3-0, but is it crazy to say their offense hasn’t hit their full potential yet?

We know Alex Marinier is one of the best goal scorers in the nation, but sophomore Garrett Haas has been one of the breakout players of the season. The X attackman has 20G, 13A on the season and had one of his most impressive outings on Saturday, getting the best of First Team All-American defender Scott Smith on a few occasions.

Graduate transfers Shane O’Leary, Ryan Donnery and Griffin Turner are turning in meaningful contributions while Gannon Matthews, Jack McKenna and Ben Mayer are having terrific senior campaigns. But freshman midfielder Liam White could be the X factor for this offense. Registering 3 points (1G, 2A) on Saturday, White is continuing to gain confidence as a playmaker. He has elite speed and an on the run shot, and if he can continue to play like this, it opens everything up offensively.

Read previous week’s here:

• Read Week 0

• Read Week 1

• Read Week 2

• Read Week 3

• Read Week 4

• Read Week 5

• Read Week 6

• Read Week 7

• Read Week 8