Yale storms past Penn State for chance at repeat

Yale captain John Daniggelis had one goal and one assist against Penn State. (Tom Horak/New England Lacrosse Journal)

PHILADELPHIA – We’ll have a familiar sight come Monday on Memorial Day weekend: Yale in a national championship game.

The Bulldogs will meet Virginia at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa., after being powered by – just like in 2018’s national semifinal against Albany – a dominant first quarter. Through the first 15 minutes of Saturday’s semifinal against top-seeded Penn State, the defending national champions led 10-2.

By game’s end, Yale secured a 21-17 win and the Ivy League program reminded folks that they aren’t going anywhere. To some degree, Penn State’s rise had made the Big Ten program America’s team.

“No one was picking us, and we're going to have to roll up our sleeves and play as hard as we possibly can to overcome this incredible team,” Yale head coach Andy Shay said.