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Inside Lacrosse Press Release – Link

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are the preseason choice as the No. 1 team in the nation, according to the annual Face-Off Yearbook presented by Inside Lacrosse. Boasting two consecutive NCAA Championship semifinal runs, Notre Dame will enter its 2016 campaign for the first time as the publication’s preseason favorite.

“I appreciate and respect the honor of starting the year ranked No. 1,” Notre Dame coach Kevin Corrigan said. “I hope it can help us focus on doing the things it will take to end the year No. 1.”

Notre Dame returns three first-team All-America honorees from the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association – senior Matt Kavanagh (Rockville Centre, New York/Chaminade/Hotchkiss), junior Sergio Perkovic (Bloomfield Hills, Michigan/Brother Rice) and senior Matt Landis (Pelham, New York/Pelham Memorial). Last season marked the first time the Irish have had three first-team picks. Junior Garrett Epple, who garnered honorable mention All-America accolades, is another returnee for the Irish. Epple, a native of Cockeysville, Maryland, is a product of Calvert Hall College High School.

Overall, the Irish bring back seven starters from the 2015 campaign and 34 total student-athletes who earned playing time.

As a unit, Notre Dame captured the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title in 2015 in just its second season as a conference member. Corrigan and his Fighting Irish captured the title with a thrilling come-from-behind 15-14 win over then second-ranked North Carolina. Notre Dame concluded the season with a 12-3 overall record and an undefeated 4-0 conference standing.

Notre Dame Face-Off Yearbook Ranking
Last Five Seasons

• 2011 – 7
• 2012 – 9
• 2013 – 3
• 2014 – 4
• 2015 – 2