Johns Hopkins defeated previously unbeaten Syracuse in the championship game, 13–10. This was the third finals where two undefeated champions met for the title and the last time this has occurred.
In the final, the Bluejays snapped Syracuse's 22-game winning streak, holding the Orange top offensive players, including Brad Kotz, in check. Tim Nelson was injured by his own teammate in the second quarter, and he did not play for the remainder of the game. Hopkins scored the first six goals of the contest.
Hopkins was led by goaltender Larry Quinn, attackman Brian Wood (three goals), and senior attackman Peter Scott (two goals and three assists). Hopkins compiled a perfect 14–0 mark and won its fifth NCAA title. Johns Hopkins were under the direction of first-year head coach Don Zimmerman. The Blue Jays returned to the NCAA Championship game for the eighth straight season. This would turn out to be the last undefeated season for Johns Hopkins until 2005.
This game is notable for several outstanding saves from goaltender Larry Quinn who was named the tournament outstanding player. Quinn made one of the most famous stops in NCAA lacrosse history, with Hopkins holding an 11–9 lead in the 4th quarter of the finals and Syracuse gaining momentum. On a fast break, Quinn dove across the goal to save a point blank shot by Tom Nelson. Inspired, Hopkins took control of the game from that point.
Peter Scott, considered one of the best lacrosse players to come out of the Pennsylvania school system, finished his career with four straight NCAA final appearances, made three All-American teams and is currently among the top Johns Hopkins Career Points leaders.[2][3][4]