Notre Dame Men's Lacrosse Aims to Bounce Back in 2026

The Irish look to return to championship form after a down year in 2025.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The Notre Dame men's lacrosse team is gearing up for the 2026 season, looking to bounce back after a 9-5 campaign in 2025 that fell short of their back-to-back national championships in 2023 and 2024. Head coach Kevin Corrigan emphasizes a day-to-day focus on being the best version of themselves, rather than dwelling on past results. The team will have to adjust to life without the Kavanagh brothers, who were among the program's all-time leading scorers. However, they return an experienced defense led by All-American Shawn Lyght, as well as goaltender Thomas Ricciardelli, who is poised for a breakout year. The Irish are motivated to regain their spot atop the college lacrosse world.

Why it matters

Notre Dame has established itself as one of the premier men's lacrosse programs in the country, winning national titles in 2023 and 2024. After a disappointing 2025 season, the team is determined to return to championship form and cement their legacy as an elite program. The transition without the Kavanagh brothers, who were instrumental to their recent success, will be a key storyline to watch.

The details

The Fighting Irish will have to find new offensive firepower after losing top scorers like the Kavanagh brothers and Jordan Faison. However, they return an experienced defense led by junior All-American Shawn Lyght, as well as goaltender Thomas Ricciardelli, who is poised for a breakout year in net. The team is motivated by the sting of their early NCAA Tournament exit in 2025, as well as the desire to recapture the magic of their back-to-back national titles.

  • The Notre Dame men's lacrosse team opens their 2026 season on Saturday, February 14 at Marquette (3 p.m. ET, ESPN+).
  • The Irish won national championships in 2023 and 2024 before finishing 9-5 in 2025.

The players

Kevin Corrigan

The head coach of the Notre Dame men's lacrosse team, who emphasizes a day-to-day focus on being the best version of the team.

Shawn Lyght

A junior defenseman who was a First Team All-American in 2025 and will lead Notre Dame's experienced defensive unit.

Thomas Ricciardelli

The starting goaltender for the Irish, who is poised for a breakout year after serving as the backup the past two seasons.

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What they’re saying

“We don't really look at it that way, honestly. It's just the same approach all the time. What we're trying to do is be the best version of ourselves that we can be, and hopefully bring that version at the end of the year when it matters and win those games.”

— Kevin Corrigan, Head Coach (on3.com)

“After having that taste my freshman year, that's all you want to get back to. You just want to get back to the top of the mountain. So everything that we do — every practice, every lift, every workout we have, it's all trying to get back to that. And the guys who didn't get to experience that feeling, trying to get them that experience.”

— Shawn Lyght, Junior Defenseman (on3.com)

“It gives you confidence because if you can defend well, you can keep yourself in every game and give yourself a chance to win and that's what it's all about.”

— Kevin Corrigan, Head Coach (on3.com)

What’s next

The Irish will look to get off to a strong start in their season opener against Marquette on February 14th.

The takeaway

After back-to-back national championships in 2023 and 2024, Notre Dame is determined to regain its spot atop the college lacrosse world. While they must replace key offensive contributors, the team's experienced defense and motivated mindset could propel them back to title contention in 2026.