Top College Lacrosse Teams Clash in Key Matchups

Maryland faces Syracuse, Princeton hosts Penn State in highly anticipated early-season battles

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

This weekend will feature several top-ranked college lacrosse matchups, including a clash between the #1 Maryland Terrapins and #2 Syracuse Orange, as well as a showdown between the #3 Princeton Tigers and #14 Penn State Nittany Lions. These games will be crucial for seeding and positioning as teams jockey for position ahead of the postseason tournament.

Why it matters

These early-season matchups between top-ranked teams will provide a glimpse into the national title picture, as the winners will establish themselves as serious contenders. The Maryland-Syracuse game in particular is a highly anticipated clash between two of the sport's powerhouses, while the Princeton-Penn State game will test the resilience of the Nittany Lions after a surprising early-season loss.

The details

The Maryland-Syracuse game features two of the highest-powered offenses in college lacrosse. Syracuse is led by a trio of star players in Payton Anderson, Michael Leo, and preseason Tewaaraton Award favorite Joey Spallina, who will look to outgun Maryland's balanced attack led by Eric Spanos, Leo Johnson, and Chris Lyons. The matchup between Maryland defenseman Will Schaller and Spallina could be the key individual battle that decides the outcome. Meanwhile, Princeton is looking to replace the production of departed star Coulter Mackesy, with junior attackman Nate Kabiri and senior midfielder Chad Palumbo expected to lead the way. Penn State is hoping to bounce back from an early loss to Villanova, with sophomore Hunter Aquino and junior Kyle Lehman leading the offense.

  • The Maryland-Syracuse game will take place on Saturday, February 18, 2026.
  • The Princeton-Penn State game will also be played on Saturday, February 18, 2026.

The players

Maryland Terrapins

The top-ranked college lacrosse team, known for their powerful offense and championship pedigree.

Syracuse Orange

The #2 ranked team in the country, with a high-powered offense led by a trio of star players.

Princeton Tigers

The #3 ranked team, looking to reclaim their spot among the nation's elite after the departure of star player Coulter Mackesy.

Penn State Nittany Lions

The #14 ranked team, seeking to bounce back from an early-season upset loss and prove they belong among the top programs.

Joey Spallina

Syracuse's preseason Tewaaraton Award favorite, a dynamic offensive player who will be a key figure in the matchup against Maryland.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The winners of these key matchups will establish themselves as serious contenders for the national championship, while the losers will need to regroup and prove they can bounce back from an early-season setback.

The takeaway

These top-ranked college lacrosse showdowns will provide an early glimpse into the national title picture, as the sport's elite programs battle for positioning and momentum heading into the postseason.