Johns Hopkins, in the national championship game for the third straight year, defeated defending champion and top-ranked Maryland, 17–12, to win the title.

This was the seventh Johns Hopkins team that Scott had directed to part or all of a national title dating back to prior to the start of NCAA participation in the lacrosse championship playoffs.

Hopkins' senior defenseman Bob Barbera scored the only goal of his career in the championship game.

Trailing 10 to 7 in the fourth quarter, Hopkins scored four straight goals, including the game winner with two minutes left, to overcome previously unbeaten Washington and Lee.

Rich Kowalchuk scored on a feed from Tom Myrick for the game-winning goal with 1:50 to play in the fourth quarter.