Penn State Stuns No. 10 Maryland 8-6, Advances to Big Ten Lacrosse Title Game

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Second-seeded Penn State men’s lacrosse held off a late Maryland rally to secure an 8-6 victory in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals Thursday night at SHI Stadium, advancing to the championship for the third time in program history. The No. 15 Nittany Lions (8-5 overall, 3-2 Big Ten) improved to 2-0 against the No. 10 Terps (7-6, 3-2 Big Ten) this season, having previously won at home in State College’s Panzer Stadium. Goalie Hawkins sealed the win with a clutch save in the final minute, while attacker Hunter Aquino led the offense with three goals.

Penn State built a 6-3 lead in the fourth quarter behind Liam Matthews’ extra-man goal at the 11:01 mark, but Maryland clawed back with scores from Jack Schultz and Braden Erksa to make it 6-5 with 6:27 remaining. The game stretched into overtime, where Penn State’s defense — emblematic of the Big Ten’s low-scoring style — stifled the Terps to preserve the upset. For Pennsylvania fans, the victory ignites pride in Happy Valley, where the Nittany Lions’ lacrosse program continues to rise under the shadow of storied football traditions.

Next up, Penn State faces No. 1-seeded Johns Hopkins in the Big Ten championship Saturday, May 2, in Piscataway — a rematch of the 2019 title game where PSU edged the Blue Jays 18-17. A win would cap a tournament run that showcases Penn State’s resilience from central Pennsylvania to the national stage, boosting the state’s profile in college lacrosse.