St. Ignatius, Upper Arlington Set for Neutral-Site Clash at Notre Dame

There are few things quite like a Saturday lacrosse game at Notre Dame's Arlotta Stadium.

The 2,500-seat facility — with plenty of lawn seating available on a first-come, first-served basis — is one of the most picturesque venus in NCAA lacrosse. On Saturday at 10 a.m., it will be home to our national boys' game of the week between St. Ignatius (Calif.) and Upper Arlington (Ohio).

St. Ignatius is 11-1 and ranked second in the USA Lacrosse West Region ranks. A pair of four-star attackmen — Stu Gates (Dartmouth) and Max Ripple (Michigan) — lead the charge for the Wildcats, which face competition this week from Saint Francis (Calif.) and Chaminade (N.Y.) before dueling with Upper Arlington.

Upper Arlington ranks fourth in the USA Lacrosse Midwest Region ranks, though its been quite a small sample for the Golden Bears in their 2-2 start. Losses to Archbishop Spalding (Md.) and Salesianum (Del.) on an East Coast swing to begin the season led to consecutive wins over in-state foes St. Xavier and Hilliard Bradley.

A neutral-site clash between two quality varsity programs means national and regional standings are both on the line.

OTHER REGIONAL GAMES TO WATCH

Northeast: Darien (Conn.) at Manhasset (N.Y.) — Saturday 1 p.m. EDT
Mid-Atlantic: No. 13 McDonogh at No. 10 Archbishop Spalding (Md.) — Friday 7 p.m. EDT
South: Green Hope (N.C.) vs Middle Creek (N.C.) — Friday 6:30 p.m. EDT
Midwest: Olentangy Liberty (Ohio) at Detroit Catholic Central (Mich.) — Friday 7:30 p.m. EDT
West: Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.) at Torrey Pines (Calif.) — Saturday 10 p.m. EDT