Princeton beats Notre Dame to win Division I lacrosse title after 25 years

Princeton defeated Notre Dame 16-9 in the Divisão I men’s lacrosse championship final, held Monday, May 25, at Estádio Scott on Charlottesville, Virgínia. The title is the university’s first since 2001 and seventh overall. Time seeded number 1, Princeton eliminated Notre Dame, number 2 in the rankings, in a duel that repeated the confrontation from the previous year’s final.

Princeton’s campaign was dominant from the start of the competition. In the first round, the team beat Marist 17-8 on Sunday, May 10th. Nas quarterfinals, advanced with a 14-10 victory over Penn State, number 8, on Sunday, May 17. Nas semi-finals, Princeton eliminated Duke with a score of 14-7, Saturday, May 23, paving the way for the final against Notre Dame.

Trajetória from champion to the final

Princeton reached the final undefeated, maintaining the favorite position throughout the competition. In the opening round, the team did not face opponents in the initial phase and began the competition in the first round against Marist. The team’s superiority was evident in the quarterfinals, when Penn State offered little resistance. In the semi-final against Duke, Princeton consolidated their offensive supremacy.

Notre Dame, despite reaching the final as number 2, was unable to keep up with the pace set by Princeton in the decisive game. Kevin Corrigan’s team had won their semifinal against Syracuse with a score of 15 to 7, also on Saturday, May 23rd. In the first round, Notre Dame defeated Jacksonville 18 to 5. Nas quarterfinals, the team beat Johns Hopkins 15 to 9.

Histórico recent championship

The title of Princeton interrupts the sequence of dominance of other universities in the last decade. Cornell won the 2025 championship, beating Maryland 13 to 10, a title that marked Big Red’s return to the top after 48 years without winning (the last victory was in 1977). Notre Dame had won the 2023 and 2024 titles, both under Kevin Corrigan.

Maryland was champion in 2022 with an undefeated record of 18 wins and no losses. Virgínia won in 2021 and 2019. Johns Hopkins won titles in 2007 and 2005. Syracuse was champion in 2004, 2003, 2002, 2000, 1995, 1993, 1990, 1989 and 1988, consolidating itself as one of the powers sports history.

Calendário and 2026 tournament structure

The championship kicks off with a selection show on Sunday, May 3 at 9:30 pm ET on ESPNU. The opening round took place Wednesday, May 6, with Marista beating Stony Brook 10-6 and Jacksonville defeating Robert Morris 13-7.

The first round was played on Saturday, May 9th and Sunday, May 10th. Carolina of Norte, No. 3, beat UAlbany 24-6. Penn State, No. 8, defeated Army 10-6. Johns Hopkins beat Cornell, No. 7, in overtime, 9-8. Duke eliminated Richmond 14-12. On Sunday, Notre Dame beat Jacksonville. Princeton beat Marist. Syracuse defeated Yale 16-15. Georgetown eliminated #5 seed Virgínia 14-10.

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The quarter-finals took place Saturday, May 16th and Sunday, May 17th. Notre Dame defeated Johns Hopkins 15-9. Syracuse defeated Carolina of #3 seed Norte 13-11. Princeton eliminated Penn State, and Duke defeated Georgetown 16-6.

Nas semifinals on Saturday, May 23, Princeton defeated Duke 14-7, and Notre Dame eliminated Syracuse 15-7.

Palmarés and historical domain

Princeton’s victory is part of the program’s long tradition of excellence. In the 1990s and early 2000s, Princeton won 4 titles: 1998, 1997, 1996 and 1994. Coach Bill Tierney was responsible for 6 of the program’s 7 titles throughout his career.

Historicamente, Virginia, Maryland, Johns Hopkins, Syracuse, Cornell and Carolina from Norte complete the list of main winners of the championship since its creation in 1971. Maryland won titles in 1975, 1973, 1972 and 1971. Virgínia won in 2006, 2003, 1999 and 1986. Carolina of Norte was champion in 1991, 1982 and 1981. Johns Hopkins won multiple times between 1974 and 1987.

The 2020 championship was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, being the only edition that has not taken place since the creation of the competition in 1971.