Welcome to the Gameday Guide.

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

Check out the rankings and TV listings for more.

The on-paper best game of the weekend is available for all to watch on ESPNU — and how great that is for the sport.

Top-ranked North Carolina and fourth-ranked Syracuse, two of the most recognizable programs in lacrosse, go toe-to-toe from the Carrier Dome Saturday afternoon in a game that will help determine where the power lies in the ACC.

Of course, that power firmly lies with the Tar Heels right now. They topped former No. 1 Boston College and have done nothing to suggest they aren’​t No. 1. But with a win, Syracuse can certainly shake up that certainty.

That’s not all there is to watch this weekend. Check out the Gameday Guide for more.

GAMES TO WATCH
ALL TIMES EASTERN

GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 1 North Carolina at No. 4 Syracuse

If we’re putting any faith in the “revenge game” narrative, then all eyes will be on Syracuse goalie Kimber Hower on Saturday. Hower, a North Carolina transfer who backed up Taylor Moreno from 2019-21, is now the starting goalie for Kayla Treanor’s Orange and has eyes on handing her former teammates a loss.

Hower has been far from perfect this season, but she’s improved dramatically the last two games. In a 14-13 win over Loyola, she made 12 saves. She followed that with seven saves in an 18-6 win over Pitt. Syracuse’s best chance of winning includes a dominant showing from Hower. It’s imperative that she play well to combat the deep offense of North Carolina.

Syracuse’s upset bid got more difficult this week, however. The team announced Friday afternoon that All-American caliber midfielder Emma Tyrrell will miss the remainder of the year with a lower body injury she suffered in practice.

UPSET WATCH

Ohio State at No. 15 Michigan

Michigan has lost three straight games — Northwestern, Rutgers and USC, all ranked opponents — and Ohio State has won two straight — one-goal triumphs over Penn State and Louisville. Is the caliber of opponent different? Sure. But Ohio State has looked good since falling to 3-3 on March 4.

Michigan endured a host of COVID-related struggles in 2021, but that doesn’t diminish the fact that Ohio State topped the Wolverines twice last season. While Michigan has made a bigger impact on the national level this spring, these teams are largely the same as a year ago.

BEST GAME NO ONE’S TALKING ABOUT

No. 19 UConn at No. 10 Denver

Denver had UConn’s number in 2021, beating the Huskies three times. The results leaned more in the Pios’ favor each time, with the first win coming in overtime and the next two coming by four and six goals, respectively. The six-goal win came in the Big East championship game.

Despite improvements from Georgetown, it looks like UConn and Denver are on a collision course for the title game again. UConn’s roster remains largely the same as last year, whereas Denver’s has infused a core of talented youth. Which wins out?

Denver’s defense has been superb in 2022, but the UConn offense is deeper than people realize. Sydney Watson and Lia LaPrise lead the way, but Grace Coon (25 goals) and Kate Shaffer (34) have been excellent.

UNDER-THE-RADAR STARS

Claire Bockstie, UMBC

The junior attacker has a hat trick in 11 of the 12 games she’s played this season and leads the team with 49 tallies. She takes a high volume of shots (119 this year), but that just speaks to the confidence UMBC has in her.

Landyn White, UConn

White isn’t a newcomer, but she flies under the radar. The senior has saved 48.7 percent of shots this season and will be key to a potential UConn victory over Denver.

Carolyn Carrera, Vermont

The nation’s leader in caused turnovers is possibly someone you don’t know all that much about. Carrera, a senior from Harriman, N.Y., has a nation-leading 35 caused turnovers and 45 ground balls for an improved Catamounts team.