Great Danes Push Defending Champ Cornell in Lacrosse Opener

UAlbany men's lacrosse team nearly upsets No. 4 Cornell in season opener

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The University at Albany men's lacrosse team opened the 2026 season with a strong performance, pushing the defending national champion Cornell University squad to the final seconds before falling 11-10 in a closely contested game at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium. UAlbany struck first and kept the game close throughout, showcasing their ability to compete with one of the top teams in the country.

Why it matters

This early-season matchup between UAlbany and Cornell highlights the growing strength of the Great Danes' lacrosse program, which has been steadily improving in recent years. A strong showing against the defending champions will boost UAlbany's confidence and raise expectations for their season, while also demonstrating the program's ability to compete at the highest level of college lacrosse.

The details

In a game defined by momentum swings, physical defense, and late drama, the defending national champion Cornell squad leaned on a last-minute goal to escape Albany with a narrow victory. UAlbany struck first with a goal from Teharonhiorens McComber just three minutes into the game, setting the tone for a back-and-forth opening quarter.

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 15, 2026.
  • UAlbany scored the first goal of the game just 3 minutes in.

The players

Teharonhiorens McComber

A player for the University at Albany men's lacrosse team who scored the Great Danes' first goal of the season.

Cornell University

The defending national champion men's lacrosse team that narrowly defeated UAlbany 11-10 in the season opener.

University at Albany

The men's lacrosse team that pushed the defending champion Cornell squad to the final seconds in their season opener.

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What’s next

The Great Danes will look to build on their strong performance against Cornell when they take on their next opponent on February 22nd.

The takeaway

UAlbany's ability to push the defending national champions to the brink demonstrates the program's continued growth and their potential to be a force in college lacrosse this season.