Tampa Men's Lacrosse Wins 2026 NCAA National Championship

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The University of Tampa men's lacrosse team captured the 2026 NCAA Division II National Championship on Sunday afternoon, rallying from a four-goal first-quarter deficit to defeat previously unbeaten Adelphi University, 12-11, in overtime at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Va.

The national title marks the second NCAA Championship in program history for the Spartans and the program's first since 2022. Tampa completed the season with a 21-1 overall record, while head coach J.B. Clarke secured his fifth national championship, including both Tampa titles. Tommy Ortega delivered the game-winning goal with 2:25 remaining in overtime to complete the comeback victory and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2026 NCAA Division II Men's Lacrosse Championship.

How It Happened

Tampa struck first just 39 seconds into the game as Jackson Bashaw finished a feed from Zack Friend to give the Spartans an early 1-0 advantage. Adelphi quickly responded and seized control throughout the opening quarter, scoring five of the next six goals behind a strong offensive stretch from Kyle Lewis and Braden Donnellan. Lewis scored twice during the run as Adelphi built a 5-1 lead with just over four minutes remaining in the period.

The Spartans found a spark late in the opening quarter when Rex Kesselring scored off an assist from Justin Conly with 3:09 left to cut the deficit to 5-2 entering the second period.

Tampa gradually shifted momentum in the second quarter behind improved defensive play and dominant faceoff work from MP Thomas. Aaron Cho opened the quarter with an unassisted goal at the 12:41 mark before Kesselring added another unassisted score midway through the frame to trim the margin to 6-4.

Late in the half, the Spartans capitalized on an extra-man opportunity after consecutive Adelphi penalties. With under a minute remaining before halftime, Cho connected with Kesselring for a man-up goal that brought Tampa within 6-5 heading into the break.

Adelphi answered early in the third quarter and appeared poised to regain control after goals from Brett Oppenheim and Noah Gibson pushed the Panthers' lead back to 8-5. Jackson Bashaw answered for Tampa midway through the period off an assist from Kesselring, but Adelphi responded just five seconds later with a goal from William Greaves to extend the lead back to three.

The Spartans refused to go away, however, as Eric Burbank scored with 56 seconds left in the third quarter to pull Tampa within 9-7 entering the final frame.

Tampa mounted its championship push in the fourth quarter. Kesselring opened the scoring with his fourth goal of the afternoon to cut the deficit to one before Adelphi answered twice to maintain an 11-9 lead with under nine minutes remaining.

The Spartans then delivered three unanswered goals in a dramatic comeback effort. Zack Friend scored unassisted with 6:12 remaining before Ortega tied the game at 11-11 less than a minute later on another unassisted finish. Tampa's defense held Adelphi scoreless for the remainder of regulation, forcing overtime in the national championship contest.

After both teams traded possessions early in overtime, Tampa earned one final opportunity in transition. Ortega found space and buried the championship-winning goal with 2:25 remaining in overtime, completing the comeback and clinching the NCAA title for the Spartans.

Spartan Performances

• Tommy Ortega scored the overtime game-winner and finished with a hat trick.
• Rex Kesselring led the Spartans with four goals and one assist while adding six ground balls.
• Zack Friend recorded one goal and two assists.
• Aaron Cho finished with one goal and one assist.
• Jackson Bashaw totaled two goals and three ground balls.
• Eric Burbank contributed one goal and one assist.
• MP Thomas controlled possession throughout the game, winning 15-of-27 faceoffs while collecting 10 ground balls.
• Conley Stone added five ground balls defensively.
• Westin Schmidt earned the victory in goal with six saves.
• Tampa outshot Adelphi 45-40 and held a 40-35 advantage in ground balls.