If there is something about Penn State head coach Jeff Tramboni’s 2024-25 Men’s Lacrosse team, it’s a never say die spirit and resolve that keeps it believing that it can overcome any obstacle.
After trailing Notre Dame 12-6, with the Fighting Irish scoring their third goal in the previous 90 seconds with less than six minutes to go in the third quarter, it seemed Notre Dame was about to close the lights on Penn State’s season.
However, an eight unanswered goal rally for the ages would propel Penn State to its third Final Four in program history, all under Tramboni, as Penn State defeated Notre Dame 14-12 that ended the Irish’s attempt at a third consecutive national championship in Annapolis, Maryland yesterday..
“I’m not sure I’ve ever quite been a part of a win like that,” Tramboni said. “It was just a lot of fun to be a part of.”
In the first quarter, Penn State opened the scoring when midfielder Matt Traynor buried his first of six goals (seven points overall). Notre Dame would then rally with three goals to take a 3-2 lead after the first quarter.
Into the second quarter, the Nittany Lions would even the scoring at three before Notre Dame would score five unanswered goals to go out 8-3 at the half.
Traynor would answer the call at the start of the second half notching back-to-back goals getting Penn State back within three.
Notre Dame would answer to go up 9-5 when Fighting Irish attacker Luke Miller buried a shot behind Penn State goalie Jack Fracyon. After Penn State attacker Kyle Lehman got it back to 9-6, Notre Dame had their second goal barrage of the contest, this time only three goals, to set the stage to 12-6.
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“The games’ not over until that final buzzer,” Traynor said of the six-goal Penn State comeback, the largest Penn State would complete of the season. . “We’ve seen the games this past week, all of them, they’re getting punched. One team’s getting punched, another team’s punching back. We just focus on finishing strong.”
The comeback kicked off when attacker Liam Matthews found his first of the day to make it 12-7 late in the third quarter. Traynor would set up midfielder Ethan Long for his 100th career point to make it 12-8. The third quarter would be capped by a highlight Traynor goal as he entered the crease, Traynor dived and buried his fourth goal of the contest.
As Penn State surged into the final stanza, the Nittany Lions would complete the comeback powered by Traynor and Lehman who each had two goals a piece.
Penn State now advances to play No. 1 Cornell at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Penn State currently has a three-game winning streak against the Big Red including a comeback from earlier this season where Penn State rallied from a 12-8 deficit with three minutes to go to force overtime. Ethan Long would get the game winner for Penn State in overtime to complete the comeback. The Big Red since that loss have won 12-straight.
