The Princeton Tigers defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 16-9 on Monday to win the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship [1].
The victory marks a significant return to the top of the collegiate sport for Princeton. By capturing the title, the program ends a championship drought that spanned more than two decades.
Princeton secured the title on May 25, 2026 [2]. The 16-9 final score [1] reflected a dominant performance by the Tigers, who managed to stifle the Notre Dame offense throughout the game. This win represents the first national championship for Princeton since 2001 [3].
Notre Dame entered the final as a formidable opponent with a strong recent history in the postseason. The Fighting Irish had recorded 13 wins and three losses in their last 14 NCAA tournament games [4]. Despite this momentum, Notre Dame was unable to overcome the Tigers' lead in the championship match.
The result shifts the landscape of collegiate lacrosse as Princeton re-establishes itself as a premier power. The Tigers' ability to dismantle a consistent tournament contender like Notre Dame suggests a high level of tactical execution, and depth.
The championship concludes the season for both programs. While Notre Dame falls short of the title, their recent tournament record underscores a period of sustained excellence in the sport. Princeton, however, takes the definitive honor of the season by claiming the trophy.
“Princeton defeated Notre Dame 16-9 to win the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship”
Princeton's victory breaks a 25-year title drought and disrupts the recent dominance of programs like Notre Dame. The win signals a shift in the collegiate lacrosse hierarchy, proving that the Tigers can compete with and defeat the most consistent postseason performers in the current era.
