Chad Palumbo’s 4-Goal Masterclass Fueled the 11-Goal Avalanche That Buried Notre Dame

Alright, Emerald City, can we talk about what just went down on the national stage? Forget everything else for a second, because what Princeton did to Notre Dame in the NCAA men's lacrosse national championship was absolutely WILD. Seriously, they straight up obliterated the Fighting Irish, 16-9, snagging their first title since 2001! And leading the charge? Chad Palumbo, who was an absolute beast out there, giving us all the feels after a comeback story for the ages.

The Turnaround That Blew Minds

You gotta understand how this game started, folks. Notre Dame jumped out to a 3-0 lead, right? Everyone in Charlottesville, and probably watching nationwide, was thinking, "Uh oh, is the No. 1 seed on upset alert?" WRONG. Princeton hit the gas and NEVER looked back. They went on an INSANE 11-straight-goal run to close out the first half, with EIGHT of those goals coming in the second quarter alone. That's not just dominance, Seattle, that's a straight-up avalanche that buried the Irish! And who was at the heart of it all? Chad Palumbo, for real. The dude dropped four goals and an assist, a monstrous five-point game when it mattered most. This isn't just about a star player, either. This is a guy who beat cancer in high school, and now he's out there making history on the biggest stage. Colin Burns chipped in with three huge goals, and both Tucker Wade and Jake Vana bagged two goals each. The Princeton offense was just relentless, unstoppable, a force of nature!

Croddick's Brick Wall & The Road to Glory

But let's be real, you don't win a national title just with a killer offense. Goalie Ryan Croddick was a freaking brick wall, making 13 crucial saves in the final game. Seriously, he pulled off an unbelievable 33 saves across the Duke semifinal AND this championship game, rightfully earning him the Most Outstanding Player award. He was locked in, completely shutting down Notre Dame's top guys like Josh Yago and Will Angrick, who each managed two goals despite Croddick's heroics. Shout out to Notre Dame's Thomas Ricciardelli too, who had a season-high 19 saves in a losing effort, he really tried to keep them in it. This wasn't some fluke, either, my friends. Princeton, the top overall seed, had to absolutely earn it. They rolled through Marist, then took down Penn State by four goals, and absolutely crushed No. 3 Duke 14-7 in the semifinals just to get to Scott Stadium. Notre Dame had their own tough road, beating No. 6 Syracuse 15-7 on Saturday. But when it came down to it, Princeton proved why they were the No. 1 seed, bringing home their first national championship since 2001, and their program's seventh title overall. That's not just a win, that's a statement! What a legacy! Seriously, you could feel the raw emotion. Princeton coach Matt Madalon summed it up perfectly on the ESPN broadcast: "We're so proud of this group. I'm so proud of what is behind me. It took years in the making." You can absolutely feel that pride, that grit, that determination in every single word. What an incredible performance from start to finish! For these guys, the celebration in Charlottesville is just beginning. What a way to cap off a season, delivering an all-time performance when the stakes are highest. You just love to see it! Can't wait to see what this Princeton program does next!

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