Charlottesville, Va. — Notre Dame faced a tough end to their 2026 season, losing 16-9 to top-seeded Princeton in the NCAA Championship game. This was the Irish’s third national championship appearance in four years.
Despite the loss, Thomas Ricciardelli stood out in goal, recording 19 saves. On offense, Josh Yago and Will Angrick both scored two goals.
Game Highlights
The game started strong for Notre Dame. They jumped to a 3-0 lead within the first five minutes, with Will Maheras, Yago, and Jeffery contributing goals. However, after a timeout, Princeton regrouped and quickly tied the game at 3-3.
Even under pressure, Notre Dame avoided disaster during a two-minute penalty, ending the first quarter with the score even.
Princeton dominated the second quarter, scoring eight unanswered goals, leading 11-3 by halftime. The Irish regrouped in the second half, with Angrick scoring two quick goals to cut the deficit to 11-5. But Princeton retaliated and finished the third quarter ahead 13-7.
Yago scored again to bring Notre Dame within five, but Princeton sealed their victory by scoring two of the final three goals.
This season’s journey shows resilience. Notre Dame has proven to be a strong competitor, consistently reaching high-stakes games.
As the team reflects on this season, experts point out that maintaining mental toughness in high-pressure situations is crucial for success. This championship game serves as an opportunity for growth and a lesson for future matches.
While this year didn’t end as hoped, the Fighting Irish have built a foundation for continued improvement, holding promise for the upcoming seasons.
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