Princeton's 11-Goal Avalanche: Why This Is Their Biggest Lacrosse Title Since 2001

Alright, you won't believe what went down on Monday! We're talking absolute domination, a full-on clinic that left Notre Dame shell-shocked. The No. 1 seed, Princeton, just flat-out thrashed Notre Dame to snag the NCAA men's lacrosse national championship! Yeah, you heard that right, a 16-9 victory that wasn't even as close as the score suggests. This isn't just a win, fam, this is their first national title in men's lacrosse since 2001, making it the program's seventh overall. Talk about a drought-ender!

The Second Quarter Heard 'Round the Lax World

The Fighting Irish actually jumped out to an early 3-0 lead. For a minute there, you thought maybe, just maybe, an upset was brewing. But then, Princeton flipped a switch and unleashed an absolute fury, rattling off a mind-blowing 11 straight goals to close out the first half! ELEVEN. STRAIGHT. GOALS. Can you even fathom that? Eight of those came in the second quarter alone. That's not just a run, that's a tsunami. Chad Palumbo was absolutely lights out, racking up four goals and even tossing in an assist for a five-point game. This dude, who beat cancer in high school, was playing with a fire you just love to see. Colin Burns was right there with him, burying three goals of his own. These Tigers didn't just win a championship, they *took* it.

Croddick's Clutch Saves and a Program-Defining Win

It wasn't just the offense, though. Goalie Ryan Croddick was a brick wall for Princeton, making 13 saves in the championship game. He was literally unstoppable when it mattered most, tallying 33 saves across the Duke and Notre Dame games. No surprise, the man earned the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award. Notre Dame's Thomas Ricciardelli actually made a season-high 19 saves, but even that wasn't enough to stem the tide. Princeton's path to the title was legit, too. They rolled over Marist, beat Penn State by four, and then took down Duke 14-7 in the semis. Notre Dame had beaten Syracuse 15-7, so they were no slouches, but Princeton just had that something extra. 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." Years in the making, indeed! This isn't just one title, this is a statement. It puts Princeton lacrosse back on top, reminding everyone they're a force to be reckoned with. What a way to cap off the season, right? The Emerald City is always buzzing about championships, and while this one isn't ours, you gotta appreciate that kind of grit and determination. Here's to seeing if they can keep that momentum rolling into next season and start building another dynasty!

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