Full Breakdown
2026 NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship: Notre Dame vs. Princeton
5/25/2026, 10:36:09 PM
Championship Showdown
The No. 2-seed Notre Dame Fighting Irish meet the No. 1-seed Princeton Tigers on May 25, 2026 at 1 p.m. ET in Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, Virginia. The winner claims the 2026 Division I men’s lacrosse title.
Program Background
Notre Dame entered the tournament 13-2, having captured the national championship in 2023 and 2024. Its all-time NCAA tournament record is 33-26, with a 12-1 mark in the past four appearances. Princeton arrived 16-2, its first title game since 2002 and its first championship since 2001, adding six titles from the 1990s. Notre Dame has reached the quarterfinals in 14 of the last 16 tournaments, tying the longest active streak.
Key Players and Coaches
Notre Dame, coached by Kevin Corrigan, fields goalie Thomas Ricciardelli (58.2 % save rate) and defender Shawn Lyght, a Tewaaraton finalist. Josh Yago leads the offense with 54 points. Ricciardelli earned ACC Goalie of the Year honors for the season. Princeton, under Matt Madalon, relies on goalie Ryan Croddick (0.646 % save rate) and defender Jack Stahl. Nate Kabiri (83 points) and Chad Palumbo (44 goals) anchor the Tigers’ attack.
Statistics Snapshot
Notre Dame limits opponents to 8.46 goals per game (5th nationally) and posted a 58.2 % save percentage. Princeton averages 14.82 goals per game (3rd nationally) and recorded a .741 save percentage in the semifinal. Princeton is a slight favorite at +130 versus Notre Dame –155, a 1½-point spread. Notre Dame’s defense ranks fifth nationally in goals allowed per game.
Implications
A Notre Dame victory would secure a third title in four years, cementing a modern dynasty. A Princeton win would end a 25-year championship drought and revive a program that dominated the 1990s. The outcome will shape the perceived balance of power between traditional East Coast programs and emerging ACC contenders.
Official Statements
Coach Corrigan said the Irish are “focused on the task at hand,” answered “No” to legacy questions, and noted “the thing that makes it hard to defend us… I couldn’t tell you who our best player is,” highlighting depth and unpredictability.
Critics and Odds
Analysts note Princeton’s higher-scoring offense and a 6.7-goal tournament margin, versus Notre Dame’s 9-goal average victory margin. The Tigers’ deeper roster and face-off win rates (Spano 71 %, Diaz-Matos 54 %) have led some to view Notre Dame as the underdog.
Verbatim Quotes
- “No.” — Kevin Corrigan, Notre Dame head coach
- “I think the thing that makes it hard to defend us," said Corrigan, "is right now, I couldn't tell you who our best player is.” — Kevin Corrigan
- “At this point in the year, I’m not sure who’s going to show up, what area of the game is going to show up for us,” — Kevin Corrigan
- “The response is always the same: we're focused on the task at hand.” — Kevin Corrigan
What’s Next
The final airs nationally on ESPN with streaming on ESPN+ and Fubo. The victor will be crowned the 2026 NCAA men’s lacrosse champion and join the sport’s modern elite.
