Thriller in Philadelphia: Can the Underdogs Upset the Powerhouses in Today’s NCAA Lacrosse Championship?

The road to college lacrosse’s biggest stage ends Monday, when No. 1 Cornell meets No. 2 Maryland for the 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Below is everything fans and searchers need to know, from start-time and TV details to breakout stars, historic context and the ripple effect across Divisions II, III and the women’s bracket. H2: NCAA Lacrosse Championship 2025 – Final Match Essentials • Matchup: Cornell Big Red vs. Maryland Terrapins • Date & Time: Monday, May 26, 1 p.m. ET • Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA • TV/Streaming: ESPN, ESPN+ (simulcast) • Live Bracket & Stats: NCAA.com interactive bracket H2: Storylines Driving the Cornell vs. Maryland Showdown Cornell’s top seed rides a balanced offense spearheaded by record-setting scorer CJ Kirst, whose late-game heroics edged Penn State in the semifinals. Maryland, meanwhile, looked clinical in a 14-8 semifinal win over Syracuse, showcasing coach John Tillman’s trademark defensive discipline and transition speed. The Terps seek their second title in four years (last hoisting the trophy in 2022), while Cornell chases its first championship since 1977. Key player battles: • Face-offs: Maryland’s Luke Wierman vs. Cornell’s Jack Cascadden • Netminders: Logan McNaney (UMD) against Chayse Ierlan (Cornell) • X-factor: Midfield two-way play, where Cornell’s tempo meets Maryland’s depth H2: How to Watch, Stream and Attend • Television: Full 60-minute broadcast on ESPN with pre-game show beginning 12:30 p.m. • Streaming: ESPN+ subscribers can watch live on mobile, desktop or connected TV. • Tickets: Limited seats remain via NCAA.com and secondary marketplaces; expect holiday-weekend crowds and Patriot Place traffic advisories. H2: Postseason Path – Recap of Key Results Quarterfinal highlights – Cornell 13, Richmond 12 (OT thriller) – Maryland 9, Georgetown 6 (defensive clinic) Semifinal highlights – Cornell 11, Penn State 9 – Maryland 14, Syracuse 8 H2: Championship Weekend at a Glance – More Than DI Men’s While Monday’s DI men’s finale grabs national headlines, champions in two other men’s divisions have already been crowned: • Adelphi edged Tampa 9-8 in overtime to secure the 2025 NCAA Division II Men’s Lacrosse Championship, the Panthers’ ninth national title. • Tufts repeated as Division III champion, defeating Salisbury to claim its fifth NCAA crown. On the women’s side, North Carolina continued its powerhouse run, topping Northwestern to capture the 2025 NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Championship earlier Sunday. H2: Historical Context and Records in Play • Cornell seeks its fifth NCAA men’s title but first in nearly half a century. • Maryland appears in its 18th championship game, chasing title No. 5 since 2017. • A victory would also cap CJ Kirst’s senior season in which he broke the DI career goals record. H2: What a Win Would Mean Cornell: Validates coach Connor Buczek’s rapid rebuild and cements the Big Red as a modern-era power, boosting Ivy League recruiting. Maryland: Adds to an already dynastic résumé under Tillman and re-establishes the Terps after back-to-back runner-up finishes (2023, 2024). H2: Search-Friendly Quick Facts • 2025 NCAA lacrosse championship location: Gillette Stadium • 2025 NCAA lacrosse championship time: 1 p.m. ET Monday • Streaming platform: ESPN+ • Recent winners: Notre Dame (2024, 2023); Maryland (2022) H2: Final Whistle Whether you’re traveling to Foxborough or streaming from home, the 2025 NCAA Lacrosse Championship promises a classic clash of offensive flair and defensive grit. Keep this guide bookmarked for real-time updates, scoring runs and post-game analysis as college lacrosse crowns its newest national champion.