Two-time defending champions Johns Hopkins defeated Virginia in the championship game, 9–8 in double-overtime. This was the Blue Jays' third straight and fourth overall NCAA national title.
Eight NCAA Division I college men's lacrosse teams met after having played their way through a regular season, and for some, a conference tournament.
In the final, Hopkins came back from an 8–6 deficit with nine minutes left to play. Attackman Jeff Harris took a pass from Jim Bidne in front of the Virginia goal and rifled a shot over the left shoulder of the Cavalier's goalie with 0:48 to play in the second overtime to give Hopkins the team's third straight national title. Virginia had defeated the Blue Jays earlier in the year 12–9, ending Hopkins’ then 25 game win streak.
Following the tournament, National lacrosse champ Johns Hopkins dominated the Division I All American squad with eight total selections. Goalie Mike Federico, defenseman Mark Greenberg and midfielder Brendan Schneck repeated as first team choices, while Jeff Cook made the second team attack squad.
Virginia was notable in this tournament for playing overtime games in all three of their contests, including the two overtime game against Hopkins in the finals. Hopkins players Wayne Davis and Ned Radebaugh were both sidelined in that game. Virginia took advantage at the face off with Cavs junior Steve Kraus winning 17 of his 20 faceoffs. The winning goal by Jeff Harris in the second overtime period gave Hopkins the first-ever third straight NCAA title a feat which would not be duplicated for 10 more years.[2][3][4][5]
Johns Hopkins scoring – Jim Bidne 3, Brendan Schneck 2, Henry Ciccarone, Jim Zaffuto, Jeff Harris, Wayne Davis
Virginia scoring – John Driscoll 2, Sonny Esposito, Mike Caravana, Matt Rainis, Lou Ruland, Randy Natoli, Rich Riccardi
Shots: Virginia 35, Johns Hopkins 25
Saves: Johns Hopkins - Mike Federico 12, Virginia - Gregory 5
Semifinals
Team
1
2
3
4
Total
Johns Hopkins
5
3
5
5
18
Syracuse
3
3
2
3
11
Johns Hopkins scoring – Brendan Schneck 4, Jim Zaffuto 3, Jeff Harris 2, Henry Ciccarone 2, Jim Bidne 2, Rich Wilkens 2, Gary Benninghoff 2, Howard Offit
Syracuse scoring – Tom Donahue 2, Doug Sedgwick 2, Marty Whipple 2, Larry Collins, Ralph Spinola, Brad Short, Scott Frost, Jim Trowbridge
Shots: Johns Hopkins 54, Syracuse 28
Team
1
2
3
4
OT
Total
Virginia
4
1
3
2
1
11
North Carolina
2
5
1
2
0
10
Virginia scoring – Randy Natoli 3, John Driscoll 2, Ray Giusto, Matt Rainis, Tim O’Shea, Sonny Esposito, Lou Ruland, Rick Giusto
North Carolina scoring – Mike Burnett 3, Monty Hill 3, Terry Martinello 2, Kevin Griswold 2
Shots: Virginia 41, North Carolina 35
Quarterfinals
Team
1
2
3
4
Total
Johns Hopkins
1
5
4
6
16
Harvard
3
3
2
4
12
Johns Hopkins scoring – Brendan Schneck 3, Jim Zaffuto 3, Wayne Davis 3, Jim Bidne 2, Jeff Cook, Joe Ciletti, Jeff Harris, Henry Ciccarone, Rich Wilkens
Harvard scoring – Brendan Meagher 4, Mike Davis 3, David Wigglesworth 2, Mike Rainaldi 2, Gary Pedroni
Shots: Johns Hopkins 44, Harvard 41
Team
1
2
3
4
Total
Syracuse
1
5
3
3
12
Washington and Lee
1
1
0
2
4
Syracuse scoring – Brad Short 4, Tim O’Hara 3, Doug Sedgwick 2, Ralph Spinola 2, Pat O’Hara
Washington and Lee scoring – Mike Pressler 2, Jay Foster, George Santos
Shots: Syracuse 33, Washington and Lee 30
Team
1
2
3
4
Total
North Carolina
3
4
5
6
18
Navy
1
3
1
6
11
North Carolina scoring – Monty Hill 3, Kevin Griswold 3, Terry Martinello 3, Mike Burnett 2, John Basil 2, John Schipper, Bob Volker, Jeff Homire, Peter Voelkel, Doug Hall
Navy scoring – Syd Abernethy 4, Mike Buzzell 3, Rich Wehman 2, Ed Mapes, William Anderson
Shots: Navy 45, North Carolina 36
Team
1
2
3
4
OT1
Total
Virginia
1
3
3
1
1
9
Cornell
5
0
2
1
0
8
Virginia scoring – Randy Natoli 3, John Driscoll 3, Mike Caravana, Matt Rainis, Steve Kraus
Cornell scoring – Charlie Wood 3, Joe Taylor, Paul Roland, Bruce Reitenbach, Norman Engelke, Matt Crowley
Shots: Virginia 41, Cornell 29
Outstanding players
Jim Bidne, Attack, Johns Hopkins, tournament Most Outstanding Player
