Notre Dame vs Princeton NCAA men's lacrosse championship score, live updates

Notre Dame’s men’s lacrosse team fell to Princeton 15-8 in the 2026 NCAA national championship game, played in Virginia on Memorial Day. The Irish, ranked No. 2 and coached by Kevin Corrigan, entered the game as 13-2, having won 12 of their last 13 NCAA Tournament games. They had previously claimed titles in 2023 and 2024 but failed to overcome Princeton’s dominance in this final. Princeton, a 16-2 team, won its seventh NCAA title in the modern era, the first since 2001. The Tigers dominated shot attempts throughout the game, finishing with a 51-38 advantage, including a 33-15 lead in the first half. Senior Chad Palumbo scored his fifth four-goal game of the season, contributing significantly to Princeton’s 11-3 halftime lead. Notre Dame struggled to close the gap, despite a strong third-quarter push that included a 17-12 shot advantage. The Irish scored twice early in the second half—Will Angrick and Dylan Faison—but could not overcome the deficit. Luke Miller’s man-up goal at 4:54 cut the lead to five, but Princeton held on to secure the win. The loss marks the third straight year Notre Dame has reached the championship game, but the team fell short of adding to its dynasty. Princeton’s defense, particularly its zone strategy, proved too strong, blanking the Irish for 26:13 in the second half after an early surge. The game concluded with Notre Dame’s highest goal output against a top-five defense this season, but it was not enough to overcome Princeton’s offensive efficiency. This victory extends Princeton’s NCAA Tournament success, as the team had not reached Championship Weekend since 2004. The Tigers’ resilience and offensive firepower proved decisive, ending Notre Dame’s hopes for another title in lacrosse history.