Notre Dame Reclaims No. 1 Rank in USA Lacrosse Division I Men's Top 20

Irish defeat North Carolina to retake top spot in national rankings

Apr. 14, 2026 at 12:45am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a lacrosse game, with overlapping planes of navy blue, kelly green, and gold, conceptually representing the strategic battle between the two elite programs.Notre Dame's decisive victory over North Carolina highlights the Irish's status as the team to beat in Division I men's lacrosse.Towson Today

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have reclaimed the No. 1 ranking in the USA Lacrosse Division I Men's Top 20 poll after defeating the previously top-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels 10-5. Notre Dame's defense stifled UNC's high-powered offense, led by goalkeeper Thomas Ricciardelli's 15 saves. Faceoff specialist Tyler Spano also played a key role, winning 10 of 17 draws against UNC's Brady Wambach.

Why it matters

The No. 1 ranking in the prestigious USA Lacrosse poll is a major achievement for the Notre Dame program, signifying their status as one of the top teams in the country. The win over North Carolina also demonstrates the Irish's ability to defeat elite competition, solidifying their claim to the top spot.

The details

In the victory over North Carolina, Notre Dame's defense was the star of the show. Goalkeeper Thomas Ricciardelli made 15 saves, and the Irish held UNC's top scorers Dominic Pietramal and Owen Duffy to just two goals on 15 shots. Faceoff specialist Tyler Spano also played a crucial role, winning 10 of his 17 attempts against the previously dominant Brady Wambach.

  • On April 13, 2026, Notre Dame defeated North Carolina 10-5.

The players

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The men's lacrosse team from the University of Notre Dame, a perennial national powerhouse.

North Carolina Tar Heels

The men's lacrosse team from the University of North Carolina, previously ranked No. 1 in the nation.

Thomas Ricciardelli

The Notre Dame goalkeeper who made 15 saves in the win over North Carolina.

Tyler Spano

The Notre Dame faceoff specialist who won 10 of 17 draws against UNC's Brady Wambach.

Dominic Pietramal

A top scorer for the North Carolina Tar Heels who was held to just two goals on 15 shots.

Owen Duffy

Another top scorer for the North Carolina Tar Heels who was limited to two goals on 15 shots.

Brady Wambach

The North Carolina faceoff specialist who was outperformed by Notre Dame's Tyler Spano.

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What they’re saying

“We knew we had to bring our best effort to beat North Carolina, and I'm proud of the way our defense stepped up and made life difficult for their top players.”

— Thomas Ricciardelli, Notre Dame Goalkeeper

“Credit to Notre Dame, they came in with a great game plan and executed it to perfection. We'll learn from this loss and come back stronger.”

— Dominic Pietramal, North Carolina Attacker

What’s next

Notre Dame will look to defend their No. 1 ranking when they face off against Syracuse on April 20th. North Carolina will aim to bounce back against Maryland on April 22nd.

The takeaway

Notre Dame's dominant win over the previously top-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels solidifies their status as the team to beat in Division I men's lacrosse. The Irish's stifling defense and strong faceoff play were the keys to victory, showcasing their ability to win against elite competition.