A History of the NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship

The NCAA Division I Women's Lacrosse Tournament is an annual single-elimination tournament hosted by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). This tournament determines the national champion of women's collegiate lacrosse among its Division I members in the United States. The tournament was founded in 1982, marking over four decades of competitive lacrosse at the collegiate level.

Lacrosse was among the twelve women's sports incorporated into the NCAA championship program during the 1981-82 school year. This incorporation occurred as the NCAA and the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) vied for the exclusive governance of women's collegiate sports. For those interested in the champions from 1978 to 1982, prior to NCAA governance, refer to the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women Champions.

Early Champions and the Rise of Dominant Programs

The inaugural NCAA women's lacrosse national championship took place in 1982, with Massachusetts securing the title by defeating Trenton State 9-6. Since that historic game, twelve teams have claimed the championship, showcasing the sport's growing competitiveness.

Maryland's Reign

The Maryland Terrapins have dominated women's college lacrosse championships, holding more than double the number of championships compared to any other team. Their consistent success has solidified their status as a powerhouse in the sport.

Northwestern's Dominance

Northwestern University is another team that experienced a period of dominance in women's lacrosse.

North Carolina's Ascendancy

North Carolina has emerged as a prominent national contender in women's lacrosse in recent years.

Other Notable Champions

Several other universities have also made their mark on the NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship.

Princeton's Triumphs

The Princeton Tigers have secured three championships. One memorable victory includes their 8-7 overtime win over the University of Virginia during the Division 1 Women's Lacrosse Championship, held at the Carrier Dome on the Syracuse University campus.

Virginia's Championship

Virginia's last national championship came one year after losing the previous one to Princeton.

Temple's Early Success

Temple won three consecutive national championships, including the AIAW championship in 1982, the year preceding the first NCAA national championship game. These three championships represent the most of any sport at the university.

Read also: Crafting Your NCAA Profile

Boston College's Recent Victory

Boston College secured the most recent Division I women's lacrosse championship with a comeback win over Northwestern in the 2024 national championship.

Tournament Structure and Seeding

The NCAA Division I Women's Lacrosse Tournament employs a single-elimination format. A play-in game was held from 2004 through 2012. Unlike the Opening Round game of 2018 and 2019, the losers of these Play-in Games are not considered by the NCAA to have been NCAA participants.

The NCAA began seeding the top 4 teams in 1998. The No. 1 seed is marked with double underline, and teams seeded between No. 2 and No. 4 are shown with single underline. Starting in 2005, the top 8 teams were seeded. Teams seeded between No. 5 and No.

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