The University of Virginia’s men’s lacrosse team made headlines recently after pulling off a stunning upset against top-ranked Notre Dame. The Cavaliers, who entered the game as the underdogs, managed to defeat the Fighting Irish 13-11, ending their opponent’s 12-game win streak.

The game, which took place on May 1st at Notre Dame’s Arlotta Stadium, was expected to be a tough one for the Cavaliers. Notre Dame’s defense, which had been dominant all season, was expected to pose a significant challenge for Virginia’s offensive players. However, the Cavaliers proved to be more than up to the task.

The game started off on a strong note for Virginia, with attackman Charlie Bertrand scoring a goal just over a minute into the first quarter. Notre Dame quickly responded, however, and the two teams traded goals throughout the remainder of the period. The first quarter ended with the score tied 4-4.

The second quarter was dominated by Virginia, with the Cavaliers scoring four unanswered goals to take an 8-4 lead. Notre Dame managed to score two goals late in the quarter to cut Virginia’s lead to 8-6 at halftime.

The third quarter saw Notre Dame make a strong push to get back into the game. The Fighting Irish scored three goals to tie the game at 9-9 heading into the fourth quarter. However, Virginia’s offense responded with three goals of their own early in the fourth to take a 12-9 lead.

Notre Dame managed to score two more goals in the final minutes of the game to cut Virginia’s lead to 12-11. However, the Cavaliers sealed the victory with a final goal in the game’s waning seconds.

The win was a significant one for Virginia, who had been struggling in recent weeks. The Cavaliers had lost three of their last four games heading into the matchup against Notre Dame, and their chances of making the NCAA Tournament were starting to look bleak. However, the win over the Fighting Irish puts Virginia in a much better position to earn a tournament bid.

The victory was also a testament to Virginia’s resilience. Despite facing adversity in the form of injuries and tough opponents, the team managed to come together and play their best lacrosse when it mattered most.

Following the game, Virginia head coach Lars Tiffany praised his team’s effort, calling it a “gutsy” win. “I love the way our guys competed today,” Tiffany said. “We faced some adversity, but we stuck together and played with a lot of heart.”

The win over Notre Dame also underscores the competitive nature of college lacrosse. While Notre Dame had been the top-ranked team in the nation, there are several other talented programs that could also make a run at the NCAA Championship. With the tournament set to begin later this month, it’s anyone’s guess which team will come out on top.

Overall, the Virginia men’s lacrosse team’s win over Notre Dame was a significant one that showcased the team’s talent and resilience. As the NCAA Tournament approaches, the Cavaliers will look to build on this victory and make a deep postseason run.