NCAA Lacrosse Championships: A Historical Overview
The NCAA organizes annual single-elimination tournaments to determine the national champions in men’s and women’s lacrosse, representing the pinnacle of collegiate competition.
Success in Men’s Lacrosse
In men’s lacrosse, Syracuse University stands as the premier program, having secured a total of 10 national championships. Notably, one title was vacated due to eligibility issues, but Syracuse remains a dominant force. Following closely is Johns Hopkins University, which boasts nine championships in its illustrious history.
Women’s Lacrosse Dominance
On the women’s side, the University of Maryland has established itself as the most successful program, with an impressive record of 14 national championships. Since 2001, when women’s lacrosse transitioned into a Division I sport, Maryland has clinched six of those titles, demonstrating continued excellence in the sport.
Recent Championship Winners
An overview of the recent national champions in NCAA lacrosse is as follows:
- 2025: Cornell (Men), North Carolina (Women)
- 2024: Notre Dame (Men), Boston College (Women)
- 2023: Notre Dame (Men), Northwestern (Women)
- 2022: Maryland (Men), North Carolina (Women)
- 2021: Virginia (Men), Boston College (Women)
- 2020: Both tournaments were canceled due to COVID-19
- 2019: Virginia (Men), Maryland (Women)
- 2018: Yale (Men), James Madison (Women)
- 2017: Maryland (Men), Maryland (Women)
- 2016: North Carolina (Men), North Carolina (Women)
- 2015: Denver (Men), Maryland (Women)
- 2014: Duke (Men), Maryland (Women)
- 2013: Duke (Men), North Carolina (Women)
- 2012: Loyola Maryland (Men), Northwestern (Women)
- 2011: Virginia (Men), Northwestern (Women)
- 2010: Duke (Men), Maryland (Women)
- 2009: Syracuse (Men), Northwestern (Women)
- 2008: Syracuse (Men), Northwestern (Women)
- 2007: Johns Hopkins (Men), Northwestern (Women)
- 2006: Virginia (Men), Northwestern (Women)
- 2005: Johns Hopkins (Men), Northwestern (Women)
- 2004: Syracuse (Men), Virginia (Women)
- 2003: Virginia (Men), Princeton (Women)
- 2002: Syracuse (Men), Princeton (Women)
- 2001: Princeton (Men), Maryland (Women)
- 2000: Syracuse (Men), Maryland (Women)
- 1999: Virginia (Men), Maryland (Women)
- 1998: Princeton (Men), Maryland (Women)
- 1997: Princeton (Men), Maryland (Women)
- 1996: Princeton (Men), Maryland (Women)
- 1995: Syracuse (Men), Maryland (Women)
- 1994: Princeton (Men), Princeton (Women)
- 1993: Syracuse (Men), Virginia (Women)
- 1992: Princeton (Men), Maryland (Women)
- 1991: North Carolina (Men), Virginia (Women)
- 1990: Syracuse* (Men), Harvard (Women)
- 1989: Syracuse (Men), Penn State (Women)
- 1988: Syracuse (Men), Temple (Women)
- 1987: Johns Hopkins (Men), Penn State (Women)
- 1986: North Carolina (Men), Maryland (Women)
- 1985: Johns Hopkins (Men), New Hampshire (Women)
- 1984: Johns Hopkins (Men), Temple (Women)
- 1983: Syracuse (Men), Delaware (Women)
- 1982: North Carolina (Men), Massachusetts (Women)
- 1981: North Carolina (Men)
- 1980: Johns Hopkins (Men)
- 1979: Johns Hopkins (Men)
- 1978: Johns Hopkins (Men)
- 1977: Cornell (Men)
- 1976: Cornell (Men)
- 1975: Maryland (Men)
- 1974: Johns Hopkins (Men)
- 1973: Maryland (Men)
- 1972: Virginia (Men)
- 1971: Cornell (Men)
Conclusion
The NCAA lacrosse tournaments continue to showcase the highest level of collegiate talent, with established programs like Syracuse, Johns Hopkins, and Maryland leading the way in their respective divisions. As these powerhouse schools vie for national titles, the legacy of the sport continues to grow.
