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.

There’s always the opportunity for any team to win any game on any day. That’s the nature of sports, right?

At least up to this point in the season, though, it seems as if there are three juggernauts in Division I women’s lacrosse with everyone else playing catch-up.

Top-ranked North Carolina is simply unflappable. No. 2 Syracuse has overcome the devastating loss of Emily Hawryschuk to not miss a beat. No. 4 Northwestern — which with another defeat of No. 3 Notre Dame this weekend will slide into that third spot — possesses a blistering offense and much improved defense.

It seems like, at least at this point, that those three teams will be playing for a championship come late May. They’re all in action this weekend. And while there aren’t many marquee matchups on this weekend’s slate, whenever those teams are in action, you should clear some time and tune in.

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. 3 Notre Dame at No. 2 Syracuse

Thursday night was the appetizer to Sunday afternoon’s rematch. Syracuse came out on top in that one 18-14 (you can read more about the game here), and although the score was close, Notre Dame was pretty clearly outplayed. The Orange led 15-6 at one point before a scrappy Irish team clawed its way back in. Chris Halfpenny’s group will surely adjust with a few days to dwell on the loss, so expect a closer contest among these ACC heavyweights.

Game No One’s Talking About
Drexel at No. 14 Loyola

It’s a game no one’s talking about because it came together recently after Navy, Loyola’s original opponent this weekend, continued its pause of activity due to COVID-19. It helps that Loyola is 2-2 after the preseason hype, meaning there’s less excitement around these Greyhounds than several weeks ago. And although Drexel is undefeated, the Dragons have yet to play in a marquee matchup. That changes Sunday.

UPSET WATCH
No. 8 Penn State at No. 4 Northwestern

Thursday night’s game was admittedly a dud for Penn State, which was blitzed by that relentless Northwestern offense in a 24-13 loss. The Nittany Lions held tough, pulling within a goal early in the second half when Maria Auth made it 11-10. They hung with the Wildcats for a half, so it’s possible for them to make a case for a complete game. Plus, you never know what can happen in this home-and-home doubleheader weekend schedule the Big Ten is playing this year.

Under-the-Radar Stars

Kyla Zapolski, Albany

She was key in Albany’s 18-7 upset of No. 19 Hofstra, scoring five goals with one assist for a season-high six points. She’s been a force through the Dane Train’s 4-2 start, scoring 19 goals with three assists. She plays Binghamton on Saturday at noon.

Erin Coykendall, Northwestern

You know the big names on the Wildcats — Izzy Scane, Sammy Mueller, Lindsay McKone, Lauren Gilbert and a few others. But don’t forget about Coykendall, who had three goals and four assists in the aforementioned win over Penn State.

Landyn White, UConn

She made 13 saves in an upset of then-No. 16 UMass, including a key save in the waning moments to send the game to overtime. She’s made 41 saves and allowed 9.81 goals per game in UConn’s 4-1 start.