Back‑to‑Back Schmeisser: Lyght’s Defensive Mastery Secures Another Honor
Shawn Lyght, a defenseman for the Fighting Irish, has captured the William C. Schmeisser Award for the second consecutive year, cementing his place among the elite of college lacrosse defense.
His back‑to‑back triumph makes him the eighth player in the award’s history to repeat and only the second Notre Dame player to do so, following the legendary Matt Landis.
Since 2015 the Irish have claimed the honor five times, a tally that outpaces every other program over the same period, underscoring the school’s tradition of producing top‑tier defensive talent.
Lyght’s achievement was highlighted alongside fellow first‑team selections, including long‑stick midfielder Will Donovan, while goaltender Thomas Ricciardelli and midfielder Matt Jeffery earned third‑team nods and three teammates received honorable‑mention recognition.
The Irish will now turn their attention to the Final Four, where they are slated to meet sixth‑seeded Syracuse at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia, on May 23. The contest will be televised on ESPN2, adding national spotlight to what has become a marquee matchup.