Princeton Was Down 3-0, Then Dropped 11 Straight Goals and the National Championship Trophy Is Theirs!

Holy smokes, Emerald City, can you even believe what we saw go down in Charlottesville?! The NCAA Men's Lacrosse National Championship was an absolute WILD ride, and top-seeded Princeton pulled off one of the most insane comebacks, beating Notre Dame 16-9! We're talking their first national title since 2001, their seventh EVER! Seriously, if you weren't watching, you MISSED IT. Get ready, because this is the kind of grit and determination we live for.

The Most Bonkers Second Quarter You'll Ever See

Okay, so get this: Notre Dame came out of the gate like a freight train, slamming in three straight goals for an early 3-0 lead. You know that feeling, right? When your heart drops and you're thinking, "Is this it?" But then, Princeton clicked. They went full Seattle Kraken in a playoff game, absolutely DOMINATING. They rattled off ELEVEN straight goals to end the first half. EIGHT of those, yes EIGHT, came in the second quarter alone! What even *is* that kind of performance? Chad Palumbo was an absolute machine, burying four goals and adding an assist for a five-point day. Colin Burns wasn't far behind with three goals. It was a mind-blowing takeover that no one, especially Notre Dame, saw coming.

Croddick's Heroics and a Legacy Cemented

This kind of win doesn't happen without serious heroics, and Princeton goalie Ryan Croddick was absolutely lights out. He made 13 saves in the championship game alone, shutting down the Irish. He racked up an insane 33 saves across the Duke semifinal and Notre Dame final games, earning him the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award. No surprise there! And Chad Palumbo, who battled and beat cancer in high school, delivered an inspiring four goals and an assist. Tucker Wade and Jake Vana also chipped in with two goals each, showing this Princeton squad had weapons everywhere. On Notre Dame's side, Josh Yago and Will Angrick led with two goals apiece, and goalie Thomas Ricciardelli made a season-high 19 saves. Still, it wasn't enough. Princeton's road to glory wasn't easy: they rolled past Marist, took down Penn State by four, and stomped Duke 14-7 to get here. Notre Dame had their own tough path, dispatching No. 6 Syracuse 15-7. But when it came down to it, Princeton wanted it more. Coach Matt Madalon said it best: "We're so proud of this group. I'm so proud of what is behind me. It took years in the making." You could feel the emotion, the years of grind finally paying off. So, what does this mean? It means Princeton isn't back, they've planted their flag firmly at the top of college lacrosse. Their seventh national title, and the first since 2001, solidifies their place as legends. You gotta respect that kind of fight, that kind of relentless drive. This wasn't merely a win; it was a statement. Congrats to the Tigers on an absolutely unforgettable season and a championship for the ages. We love seeing that kind of grit!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.