Welcome to the Gameday Guide.

Every weekend during the college lacrosse season, US Lacrosse Magazine staff will riff here on the juiciest matchups, trendiest topics, biggest storylines and hottest takes.

It’s the game we’ve all been waiting for.

Set the DVRs to record your Saturday morning cartoons so you can watch what’s shaping up to be an instant classic live. No. 2 Syracuse travels south to Chapel Hill to take on No. 1 North Carolina at 11 a.m. Eastern on ACC Network in what has the potential to be the game of the year.

The Orange have weathered the storm since losing All-American attacker Emily Hawryschuk for the year. They’re 6-0 and have yet to score fewer than 15 goals in a game, evidence of the offensive depth for Gary Gait’s team.

But they’ve yet to stare down a defense quite like North Carolina’s, which has been the backbone of the team’s 10-0 start. Emma Trenchard and Co. have allowed just 5.4 goals per game.

Something’s gotta give Saturday morning.

As always, check out our TV Listings page for the entire list of games coming up.

GAMES TO WATCH
All times Eastern

GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 2 Syracuse at No. 1 North Carolina

Let’s dive more into the nitty gritty here. It was mentioned above that UNC’s defense is otherworldly. But so is Syracuse’s. The Orange allow 8.83 goals per game because of the swarming, pestering press defense employed by Gait.

UNC’s offense would seem to have the upper hand here, though, as the duo of Katie Hoeg and Jamie Ortega is nearly unstoppable. Syracuse might be able to match UNC’s depth, but without Hawryschuk, the Orange are lacking in star power.

The X-factors here reside in their respective creases. Asa Goldstock and Taylor Moreno have both been exceptional in 2021. Either one could completely alter the course of the game.

Game No One’s Talking About
No. 15 Drexel at Hofstra

The CAA is deeper than perhaps anyone expected, as perennial conference champion James Madison is not even one of the conference’s two teams in the Nike/US Lacrosse Division I Top 20. Right now, Drexel (No. 15) and Towson (No. 18) have earned that distinction, with JMU, Elon and Hofstra lurking on the outskirts.

These teams appear to be so evenly matched that conference games should be incredibly competitive. Drexel-Hofstra is case in point. Drexel’s offense is electric, led by Karson Harris, but Hofstra can match with Alyssa Parrella. This game has shootout potential.

UPSET WATCH
William and Mary at Elon

Elon isn’t ranked in the Top 20, but the Phoenix have been in consideration ever since beating James Madison. They’re a perfect 6-0 and have looked like a team that’s vastly improved.

William and Mary is 3-4, but outside of a blowout loss against Duke, the Tribe haven’t truly been overmatched — even in a three-goal loss to Richmond. Junior Belle Martire has been a difference maker with 29 goals and nine assists. All 38 of her points came after being held to no points against Duke.

Under-the-Radar Stars

Belle Martire, William and Mary

More on Martire: She has two games of at least eight points in 2021 and has a robust shooting percentage of .674. She’s also controlled 33 draws and secured nine ground balls. She’s a playmaker.

Samantha Courtemanche, Lauren Cremen and Kayla Downey, Coastal Carolina

We’re stretching the rules here, but Courtemanche, Cremen and Downey have all been electric for a Chanticleers team that doesn’t garner much attention. Through 11 games, each player has at least 21 goals — Cremen with 21, Downey with 22 and Courtemanche with 27.

Jackie Wolak, Notre Dame

Kasey Choma and Madison Ahern made headlines as freshmen in 2020, but Wolak is a member of that same class who is coming to her own as a key player on offense. The Ridgewood, N.J., product has 12 goals and six assists and is shooting 63.2 percent.

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