The NCAA Division I lacrosse championships played out as thrilling and intense games over the weekend, creating unforgettable moments for both men’s and women’s lacrosse.
In women’s lacrosse, No. 3 Northwestern went up against No. 1 North Carolina. For the men, No. 2 Maryland faced No. 1 Cornell. Both games were played at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.
Attendance for the women’s final was 14,423 – the largest crowd ever for a women’s NCAA lacrosse championship.
The Tar Heels, entering the game undefeated, had to win one last game to claim a national title, and they succeeded, winning 12-8.
It all started with their amazing draw controls, with UNC winning 17 of 24 draws.
The majority of the game they possessed the ball, but not with ease. Northwestern put up a tough fight but could not keep up with the fast pace of UNC.
Coach Jenny Levy and her daughter Kate Levy became the first mother-daughter duo to win a national championship together.
The Tar Heels ended the season 22-0 and picked up their fourth NCAA title.
The men’s title game drew a crowd dressed in red, as Maryland and Cornell faced off on Memorial Day. The men’s final has been held on the holiday since the 1970s.
Led by senior attacker CJ Kirst, Cornell defeated the Terrapins 13-10 to pick up their first title win since 1977, ending a 48-year drought.
Kirst scored six goals, tying the NCAA single-season record with 82 goals.
The two teams had met back in the 2022 final, with Maryland taking the victory that time.
This weekend was a memorable one for lacrosse fans, and for North Carolina and Cornell, it was a weekend of success.
