Maryland Lacrosse Falls Short in Championship Rematch with Cornell

The Terrapins entered the championship game as the No. 2 seed, having secured their spot in the Final Four with a 9-6 victory over Georgetown in the semifinals. Maryland's path to the title game showcased the program's resilience under head coach John Tillman, who has established the team as a consistent national powerhouse. The Terrapins advanced through the tournament despite intense competition in the Big Ten Conference, a conference that has become a hotbed for elite lacrosse.

Cornell's 13-10 victory gave the Big Red their first national championship since 1977 and their fourth overall title. CJ Kirst led the charge for Cornell, tying a single-season goals record with six goals in the championship game. The matchup was historic in its own right—it marked the first time since 2005 that a No. 1 seed faced a No. 2 seed in the championship game, highlighting the competitive balance of college lacrosse's elite programs.

Maryland's recent championship pedigree remains unmatched in program history. The Terrapins won the 2022 NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship with a historic 18-0 record, defeating Cornell 9-7 in that final. That undefeated season made Maryland the first team in NCAA lacrosse history to finish without a loss, a distinction that underscored the program's dominance during that era.

Despite Sunday's loss, Maryland's accomplishments cement the program's place among college lacrosse's elite. The Terrapins have secured four NCAA tournament championships since 1924 and have never finished a season with a losing record—the only major college lacrosse team to hold that distinction. With Tillman leading the program, Maryland remains positioned to compete for future national titles.