Princeton Wins First Lacrosse Title in 25 Years

Princeton lacrosse players stormed the field at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville on Memorial Day 2026, celebrating something their program hadn't experienced in 25 years: a national championship trophy.

The top-seeded Tigers dominated second-seeded Notre Dame 16-9 in the Division I men's lacrosse championship game. It was Princeton's seventh national title overall, but their first since legendary coach Bill Tierney led them to victory in 2001.

The win caps an incredible tournament run for Princeton. They opened with a 17-8 victory over Marist, then dismantled eighth-seeded Penn State 14-10 in the quarterfinals before handling Duke 14-7 in the semifinals.

Notre Dame entered the championship game riding high from their 15-7 semifinal win over Syracuse. But the Fighting Irish couldn't match Princeton's firepower, falling short despite their own impressive tournament performance that included an 18-5 first-round drubbing of Jacksonville.

The 1-versus-2 championship matchup marked the second consecutive year the top two seeds met in the final. Last year, Cornell defeated Maryland to claim their first title since 1977, ending an even longer championship drought.

The Ripple Effect

Princeton's victory energizes a lacrosse program steeped in tradition but hungry for modern success. The Tigers join an elite group of programs with seven or more championships, cementing their status among college lacrosse royalty alongside Syracuse, Johns Hopkins, and Virginia.

For younger players who grew up watching Princeton's dominant 1990s dynasty, this championship validates years of rebuilding and refocusing. The program that once won six titles between 1992 and 2001 has proven it can still compete at the highest level in today's game.

The win also highlights the competitive balance in Division I lacrosse, where programs can return to glory after long absences. Cornell's 2025 championship after 48 years showed that tradition matters, and Princeton's 25-year wait proves that patient program-building pays off.

Princeton's seven championships now span five decades, showing that excellence can be sustained across generations of coaches and players who wear the orange and black.