Maryland and Penn State Advance to NCAA Quarterfinals

View 2025 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Tournament Bracket 

For the eighth time in eight years, the Big Ten advances at two teams to the quarterfinal round. Both Maryland and Penn State advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals after strong first round performances. 

Happy Valley, Pa. – After beating Colgate in its season opener 14-9, Penn State was able to repeat its success in the post season, beating the Raiders 13-11 on Saturday. 

The game was closer than the first though, as the Nittany Lions found themselves down 11-10 with 5:29 remaining in the fourth period. Liam Matthews’ back-to-back goals sparked the win, and Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Matt Traynor iced the game on his third goal of the game with 33 seconds remaining to win.  

Penn State’s Reid Gills, who dominated Maryland in the crease in the Big Ten semifinals and went 18-22, was superb again today and found success on 21 out of 28 faceoff attempts. 

The Nittany Lions will now face off against back-to-back defending national champions Notre Dame in the quarterfinals on Sunday May 18. The Fighting Irish looked the part in the opening round and beat Big Ten regular season and tournament champions Ohio State 15-6. 

College Park, Md. – Behind six goals from All-Big Ten First Team member Eric Spanos, the Terrapins cruised to a 13-5 win over Air Force on Sunday.  

Maryland took a 3-1 lead at the end of the first quarter and went on a 9-1 run in the second and third quarters. By the fourth quarter, the Terrapins had surmounted a 12-2 lead and were able to take out their starters. 

In 50 minutes of action, Logan McNaney and the Maryland defense only allowed three goals on 16 shots on goal to keep the Falcons at bay. 

The Terrapins will now face in-state rival Georgetown on Sunday, May 18 in the quarterfinals.  

Columbus, Ohio – The 2025 Big Ten champions Ohio State were unable to repeat success and beat ACC regular season champions Notre Dame for the second time this year and fell 15-6 in the opening round of the NCAA tournament.  

Alex Marinier tried to rally the Buckeyes with an early goal to tie the game at one apiece. But his four goals on the day weren’t enough as Tewaaraton finalist Chris Kavanaugh and the Fighting Irish jumped out to a 7-4 lead at halftime and won the second half 8-2 to escape Columbus with a 15-6 win. 

Notre Dame will now face No. 5 Penn State, who did not play an ACC opponent in the regular season.