Spring is heating up, and so are the Nittany Lions! As the lacrosse teams charge into playoff season, there's plenty of action to follow—and plenty of gear to get you game-ready.
Men’s Lacrosse: On a Championship Roll
After a dominant 16-8 victory over Johns Hopkins in the Big Ten Championship, the men’s lacrosse team is riding serious momentum. It’s their first conference tournament title since 2019, and they’ve earned the No. 8 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. Next up: a first-round clash against Army tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. on ESPNU, right at home in Panzer Stadium. Win that, and they’ll face the Princeton vs. Marist winner in the quarterfinals next weekend.
Sure, their 9-5 record might not scream "powerhouse," but the stats tell a different story. The Nittany Lions have seven wins over teams ranked inside the ELO Top 15, including victories over No. 1 Princeton and No. 5 Cornell. If they make another run to the Final Four, don’t be surprised—this team has the grit to go the distance.
Women’s Lacrosse: Seeking Redemption
The women’s team tips off their NCAA Tournament run tonight against Stanford at 6 p.m. on ESPN+. A win would set up a second-round matchup on Sunday at 1 p.m. against the Mercer vs. Michigan winner. The Nittany Lions started the season on fire but hit a rough patch against tougher competition, dropping all games to Top 10 opponents during the regular season and Big Ten Tournament. Still, they played Michigan tight in the conference tournament—and a third shot at the Wolverines could be just what they need. A postseason run is possible, but to advance, they’ll need to tighten up in close games against elite teams.
Volleyball: A Legendary Era Ends
The Mark Pavlik era came to a close with a hard-fought 3-2 loss to UC Irvine in the NCAA Tournament. The Nittany Lions battled hard, but the Anteaters’ offense proved too much. Pavlik leaves behind an incredible legacy: he led Penn State to its second NCAA championship in 2008, notched 694 wins over 32 years in Happy Valley (the fourth-most all-time among NCAA men’s volleyball coaches), and was named AVCA Coach of the Year in 2008. He also produced Olympians like Max Holt, Matt Anderson, and Aaron Russell. While his tenure might not always get the spotlight it deserves, his impact on the program—and the sport—is undeniable.
Whether you’re cheering from the stands or watching from home, gear up in your favorite Nittany Lions apparel and get ready for an exciting postseason!