(Annapolis, Maryland) — Notre Dame’s quest for a three-peat as college lacrosse national champions came to an abrupt and shocking end here today.

Notre Dame led Penn State, 12-6, with six minutes left in the third quarter, only to see the Nittany Lions score the last eight goals of the game to eliminate the Fighting Irish, 14-12, in the NCAA Quarterfinals.  Penn State now moves on face Cornell next Saturday in the national semifinals.

Jake Taylor helped the Irish grab an 8-3 lead at halftime, scoring two of five unanswered goals late in the first half. After Penn State narrowed the gap to 9-6 early in the second half, Irish stars Chris Kavanagh and Devon McLane combined to reel off three straight goals and drive the margin to 12-6. Both Kavanagh and McLane scored three goals and three assists on the day.

That’s when Penn State switched to a 1-3-2 zone that seemed to befuddle the Irish attack. In fact, Notre Dame did not fire a shot on goal in the entire fourth quarter.  Meanwhile,  Matt Traynor began to take over for Penn State. The Nittany Lion, star and 6th pick of last week’s Premier Lacrosse League draft, scored a diving goal with 12 seconds remaining in the third to cut the lead to 12-9.

Kyle Lehman tallied back-to-back goals to open the fourth for Penn State, before two more Traynor tallies gave Penn State the lead for good with 7:27 left. On the day, Traynor found the next six times.

The loss brings Kavanagh’s  brilliant collegiate career to an end.  He departs as one of the most decorated players in program history, ranking third in career points (242) and second in career goals (151).

Notre Dame ends the season, 9-5, suffering its first tournament loss since falling to Maryland in the 2021 quarterfinals.