SYRACUSE, N.Y. - No. 6 Notre Dame (5-3, 1-1 ACC) suffered its first loss in Atlantic Coast Conference play this season, falling to No. 9 Syracuse (5-3, 3-0 ACC) by a final score of 10-6 inside the Carrier Dome. The second half determined the outcome on Saturday, as the Orange outscored the Irish 5-2 in the final 30 minutes of play. Brian Willetts led the Irish in scoring with two goals. Other Notre Dame goal scorers were Mikey Drake, Drew Schantz, Bryan Costabile and Brendan Collins. How It Happened Notre Dame found itself in an early hole on Saturday, as Syracuse scored the first three goals of the game to jump out to a 3-0 lead. However, the Irish settled in and responded with goals from Drake and Schantz to cut the deficit to just one (3-2) at the end of the first quarter. The goal from Schantz just beat the clock, as no time remained in the quarter after his goal hit the net. The two sides traded scores in the second stanza, with both teams scoring two goals to push the score to 5-4 heading into the halftime break. The Irish tied the game less than five minutes into the second off a goal from Costabile but Syracuse responded to retake the lead. The second goal of the quarter came from Collins, as the senior rifled a shot from distance past the keeper. Notre Dame scored the opening goal of the third quarter, leveling the score at 5-5. The goal was created by beautiful ball movement before Ryder Garnsey found Willetts in front of the crease, who faked high and then finished from point-blank range. Syracuse responded with two goals of its own to go back on top at 7-5 at the end of the third quarter. The Orange added three scores in the fourth quarter and Notre Dame scored one goal courtesy of Willetts to end the game at 10-6. Notre Dame Player Of The Game Sexton continued his exceptional run of play on Saturday, scooping up a team-high six ground balls and leading the team in caused turnovers with two. Notre Dame Notes Five different Irish players scored goals in the game. Sexton scooped up six ground balls on Saturday and has now tallied 27 in the last four games. Schantz's goal was his first of the season and 10th of his career. Sophomore Thomas McNamara made his Notre Dame debut on Saturday. Up Next The Irish return home for a marquee matchup against Duke at Arlotta Stadium. The opening face-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 7. The game will air live on ESPNU.