For the first time in nearly six years, Syracuse University men’s lacrosse has claimed the top spot in national rankings. Both the USILA Division I Coaches Poll and the Inside Lacrosse Media Poll, released Monday, placed Syracuse at number one.
Syracuse (3-0) achieved this position after defeating previous top-ranked Maryland 11-9 on Friday night at the JMA Wireless Dome. This marks their first win over a number one team since April 2017.
In the USILA Coaches Poll, Syracuse received 578 points and secured 27 out of 29 first-place votes. Maryland followed with 507 points, while Georgetown was third with 498 points. Cornell and North Carolina rounded out the top five. Notre Dame also received a first-place vote and ranked eighth.
The Inside Lacrosse Media Poll had Syracuse as a unanimous selection for first place, earning all 22 first-place votes and totaling 440 points. Maryland was second with 414 points, followed by North Carolina, Georgetown, and Cornell.
Syracuse is scheduled to play against several teams ranked in the top 20 of both polls throughout the season. Their upcoming opponents include Maryland, Georgetown, North Carolina, Duke, Notre Dame, Princeton, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Boston University, Denver, and Virginia. The team is currently undefeated against teams ranked in the top 20 at game time this season.
This weekend will be Syracuse’s first appearance as the nation’s number one team since March 2020. They are set to face Harvard on Saturday at Jordan Field in a rematch of last season’s NCAA Tournament First Round. The game begins at 1 p.m., with tickets available through GoCrimson.com. Coverage will be provided on ESPN+ as well as ESPN Radio Syracuse.
