By Nick Savage
The 2023 college lacrosse season promises to be an exciting one as many talented teams vie for a shot at the national championship. Here are the top five college lacrosse teams to watch this season.
Virginia: 2-0 (+500)
Virginia’s men’s lacrosse team has already established itself as the leading team in the country in the early stages of the 2023 season. Recent victories over Michigan and Harvard have highlighted Virginia’s impressive offensive firepower and solid defense, led by standout players like Connor Shellenberger and Cade Saustad. Despite the season being in its early stages, bookmakers have taken note of Virginia’s strong performance and have listed them at +500 odds to win the national championship. While there is still a long road ahead and several tough competitors to overcome, the Cavaliers’ promising start to the season suggests that they have what it takes to contend for the championship title.
Norte Dame: 2-0 (+500)
In only the second week of the 2023 season, the Fighting Irish have already established themselves as a force to be reckoned with, currently holding the No. 2 in the national rankings. Notre Dame started the 2023 campaign strong with impressive victories over Marquette and Cleveland State, showcasing a balanced attack and a stout defense led by Pat Kavanagh and Liam Entenmann. However, despite their early success, the Fighting Irish face a tough road ahead as they navigate a challenging schedule, and will need to maintain their focus and continue their impressive play to remain in contention for the national championship — they are currently listed at +500 odds to take the title this year. Nevertheless, with its strong start and talented roster, Notre Dame is poised to make a serious run at the championship, even with the daunting task of facing formidable opponents in the coming weeks.
Princeton: 1-0 (+2000)
Princeton is currently ranked No. 3 in the country after an impressive start to its 2023 season with a win over Monmouth, 22-9. The Tigers have showcased their offensive prowess by utilizing their balanced midfield Alex Slusher, while also remaining strong on defense, anchored by goalie Griffen Rakower. With a total of 458 points as of now, Princeton is proving to be a top contender this season. Despite this, oddsmakers have listed the Tigers at +2000 odds to win the national championship, reflecting the stiff competition they will face as the season progresses. Nevertheless, with its impressive start and talented roster, Princeton has the potential to make a strong run in the coming months and could emerge as a serious threat to other top-ranked teams in the country.
Cornell: 1-0 (+1100)
Cornell’s men’s lacrosse team has started the 2023 season strong and currently holds the fourth spot in the national rankings. The Big Red recently secured a hard-fought 12-10 win over UAlbany, with several players stepping up to contribute to the team’s balanced attack and stingy defense. On offense, Cornell has shown strong play from its attackman and midfielders, while on defense, the backline has held opponents in check, allowing the team to secure crucial wins. With a total of 422 points as of now, the Big Red have their sights set on making a push towards the national championship, despite being listed at +1100 odds to win it all. Cornell’s overall strength as a team and a solid start to the season suggest the potential to emerge as a serious contender as the season progresses.
Yale: 1-0 (N/A)
Yale is currently ranked No. 5 in the country with a 20-14 victory over Villanova to start the new season. With a total of 409 points, Yale has shown offensive strength with key contributions from players. Defensively, the team has demonstrated a formidable backline that has helped them stymie the opponents. Despite their strong start, oddsmakers have not yet posted the Bulldogs’ odds to win the national championship, which could reflect an unpredictable season and tough competition moving forward.
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