The NCAA men’s and women’s lacrosse Division I Tournament semifinals begin Friday in Massachusetts, with eight teams vying for a pair of national championships.
The Memorial Day weekend event is an annual tradition beloved by lacrosse fans, and it’s a ritual several programs take part in regularly. Maryland men’s lacrosse, for example, returns to the Final Four thanks to a recent win over Georgetown in the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals. The Terps lost in the national championship game a season ago, but won the title in 2022. Can they get over the hump this season and secure the third championship of coach John Tillman’s tenure?
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Here’s this weekend’s schedule and how to watch the action.
How can I watch?
All of the games will air on ESPN networks.
The women’s semifinals Friday will both be broadcast on ESPNU, with ESPN2 the home for Saturday’s men’s semifinals. Both championship games get top billing on ESPN, with the women playing Sunday afternoon and the men competing for a championship on Memorial Day.
Men’s schedule
Saturday
No. 1 Cornell vs. No. 5 Penn State, noon, ESPN2
No. 2 Maryland vs. No. 6 Syracuse, 2:30 p.m., ESPN2
Each game will air on ESPN2, with the Terps starting their game roughly 30 minutes after Cornell-Penn State concludes. Maryland beat Syracuse, 11-7, earlier this season on Feb. 15. Terps goalkeeper Logan McNaney racked up 12 saves in a stifling defensive performance.
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Monday
No. 1 Cornell/No. 5 Penn State vs. No. 2 Maryland/No. 6 Syracuse, 1 p.m., ESPN
Cornell and Maryland have not met this season, although the Terps and Nittany Lions played twice this year. Maryland won both of those Big Ten matchups.
Women’s schedule
Friday
No. 1 North Carolina 20, No. 4 Florida 4
No. 3 Northwestern 12, No. 2 Boston College 11
Sunday
No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 3 Northwestern, noon, ESPN
Where are the games being played?
Both the men’s and women’s semifinal and championship matches will be held at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The stadium is home to the NFL’s New England Patriots.
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Gillette Stadium is scheduled to host the Final Four again in 2028.
What’s the weather look like?
According to the National Weather Service, Saturday will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 59 degrees. There’s a chance of showers mainly between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., well before the first men’s semifinal starts.
For the championship games on Sunday and Monday, temperatures are expected in the 60s with no precipitation and light wind.
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Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Bennett Conlin at bconlin@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/BennettConlin.