Hempstead, N.Y. -- While Syracuse and Cornell Men's Lacrosse don't play each other Saturday, the two share the same goal: survive and advance to Championship Weekend. So, which Orange and Big Red players need to step up if their respective teams want to extend their seasons? Let's start with the x-factors for SU.

In and outside the X, Mullen might be SU's most valuable player. There's a reason he was just named an Inside Lacrosse All-American as only a sophomore. Mullen won a ridiculous 86% of faceoffs in the Orange's first round win against Harvard. And on the season? No one in the country has won more faceoffs or picked up more ground balls than Mullen.

In the midfield, English knows a thing or two about SU's opponent, Princeton. That's because the grad student played with the Tigers for three years before joining the Orange. Princeton wouldn't of made it to the Final Four in 2022 if it weren't for English. As a first-year starter, the then-sophomore scored a pair of hat tricks in the NCAA Tournament.

Over on the attack line, SU goes as Spallina goes. The junior scored all three of his points against Harvard after halftime. Including the game-winning assist to fellow attackman Owen Hiltz. Spallina aims for a stronger start back home on Long Island at Hofstra University. The All-American grew up watching his father Joe coach professionally in Saturday's venue, Shuart Stadium.

Switching gears to the Big Red, this sophomore plays well beyond his years. The midfielder joined Syracuse's English as an Inside Lacrosse first-team All-American. If Cornell's opponent, Richmond, has to kill a penalty, keep an eye on Firth. The Canadian ranks second nationally with nine extra-man goals.

When you think of the Big Red scoring goals, you should already be thinking of Kirst. The four-time All-American leads the country in that category with 74. And earlier this season, Kirst became the NCAA's career leader in goals scored. Against Richmond in early March, the senior was 'limited' to a hat trick. That's somehow considered an off day by his standards, given Kirst averages almost five goals a game.

All these players will be in action Saturday afternoon. Top-seeded Cornell takes on Richmond at noon before sixth-seeded Syracuse faces third-seeded Princeton at 2:30. Both games can be watched live on ESPNU.