Penn State Makes Improbable Comeback to Advance to NCAA Men's Lacrosse Semifinals

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ANNAPOLIS, Md. – With 12 seconds remaining in the third period, Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Matt Traynor leaped from behind the goal and stretched his stick out to sneak the ball past Notre Dame goalie Thomas Ricciardelli. Traynor’s goal put the Nittany Lions within three goals at 12-9.  
 
Penn State trailed 12-6 with 5:56 remaining in the third period, but an 8-0 run the rest of the game to prevail 14-12 over defending back-to-back champions Notre Dame. With the win, the Nittany Lions advance to their first NCAA Men’s Lacrosse semifinals since 2019. 
 
Penn State took a 2-0 lead early in the first period, but Chris Kavanaugh and the Fighting Irish showed why they won the last two NCAA championships and went on a 8-1 run until the start of the fourth period. 
 
After Traynor’s highlight reel goal, Kyle Lehman followed it up with two of his own to bring the game within one goal at 12-11. Traynor then notched two more goals, including another highlight reel over-the-shoulder goal, giving the Nittany Lions the lead at 13-12, their first since 7:10 in the first period.  
 
On the day, Traynor tallied six goals leading all scorers. Ethan Long and Kyle Lehman each finished with a hat trick. The defense overcame its early struggles and forced four turnovers in the second half.