Notre Dame has already played three Inside Lacrosse top 20 teams this season, but its most difficult test might come Saturday when the No. 6 Irish travel to Hanover, N.H. to take on No. 17 Dartmouth.
The latest NCAA statistics rank Notre Dame first in the nation in scoring with 12.8 goals per game. But Dartmouth has the 12th-ranked scoring defense in the nation, and Irish coach Kevin Corrigan expects a stiff challenge.
"Defensively, they're very athletic and very aggressive," Corrigan said. "When you look at their scores on the year, they've done a really nice job. They haven't given up the shots they don't want to give up because they have an excellent goalie [in Ivy League player of the week Andrew Goldstein].
"Offensively, they've got some very good players. They don't have the depth that some people have, but the guys that they have in the midfield and attack are very good players."
That defense will be tested by the quick-striking Notre Dame offense. Junior attack Pat Walsh leads the Irish with 14 goals and 17 assists.
"Pat is an outstanding player," Corrigan said. "I give him all the credit this year. He's played extremely well. But I think a lot of credit has to go to the guys that are playing with him like Matt Karweck and Brian Morrison, who's done a great job scoring goals for us.
"[Karweck and Walsh] are good friends and have worked really hard together the last couple of years. It didn't surprise me that they have been playing so well together."
Corrigan believes the Irish can still make strides as they enter the last month of regular season competition before the NCAA tournament starts in May.
"Scoring is part of it, but making good decisions and taking care of the ball is also part of it," Corrigan said. "I think we've done a good job of making plays, but I think we can still make a lot of progress in our decision making offensively."
Saturday's game will be the fourth all-time matchup between Notre Dame and Dartmouth. The Irish won last season's meeting in South Bend, Ind., 10-3.
