NCAA LAX Opening Weekend
- Walker Johnson
- Feb 2
- 3 min read
Penn State 18, Colgate 14
By Walker Johnson
Feb 2, 2026, 9:58AM
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — No. 7 Penn State opened its 2026 season with an impactful 18–14 victory over Colgate in Sunday’s home opener. The Nittany Lions weathered an early surge from Colgate to take control, paced by a dominant offensive performance from Hunter Aquino, who scored five goals and added an assist to lead all scorers.
After jumping out to an early lead, Penn State capitalized on a balanced attack that featured 10 different goal scorers, including hat tricks from Michael Faraone and Kyle Lehman. The Nittany Lions also excelled on the faceoff dot, winning 24 of 35 draws to fuel transition opportunities.
Colgate battled back early in the second quarter, at one point taking a slim lead, but Penn State responded with a string of goals and never looked back. Despite the loss, Colgate showcased depth in its attack with multiple multi-goal contributors. Penn State now turns its attention to Villanova next Saturday, while Colgate prepares for a road trip to Virginia.
Ohio State 19, Detroit Mercy 3
COLUMBUS — In a commanding season opener at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, No. 10 Ohio State rolled past Detroit Mercy 19–3. The Buckeyes set the tone early, scoring the first four goals of the game and eventually closing out with a 13–0 run that overwhelmed the Titans.
Ohio State’s attack was balanced and relentless, with Alex Marinier leading all scorers with four goals and Garrett Haas notching a team-best two assists. Ten different Buckeyes found the back of the net, including multiple first-career goals — a promising sign for depth in 2026.
In goal, Caleb Fyock earned the win with three saves, while Ohio State’s defense forced frequent turnovers, holding Detroit Mercy scoreless for over 51 minutes of play. At the faceoff X, Jack Oldman dominated, going 12-for-14 and helping Ohio State control possession throughout.
The Buckeyes will look to build on this statement win as they continue their home stand, while Detroit Mercy searches for an answer after a tough season debut.
Syracuse 13, Boston University 6
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — No. 3 Syracuse Orange kicked off their 2026 campaign with a powerful13–6 win over No. 17 Boston University at the JMA Dome. Despite committing 17 turnovers and showing some early rust, the Orange’s offensive firepower and disciplined defense proved too much for the Terriers.
Senior captain Joey Spallina led Syracuse’s attack, posting five points (three goals, two assists), while a host of teammates, including Wyatt Hottle and Payton Anderson, contributed multiple goals. Faceoff specialist Johnny Mullenwas pivotal, winning 14 of 19 draws and even finding the net once, helping Syracuse neutralize BU’s aggressive ride.
Defensively, goalie Jimmy McCool turned aside 12 shots with a strong save percentage, and the Orange limited BU’s key offensive weapons throughout the contest. While Syracuse must clean up its clearing and ball movement, this opening-weekend victory provides momentum heading into their next matchup.
Air Force 13, Lafayette 12
COLORADO SPRINGS — Air Force edged Lafayette 13–12 in a thrilling season opener on Sunday, with Caelan Driggs leading the Falcons with three goals in a tightly contested matchup against the Leopards.
Lafayette struck first, but Air Force responded with a 4–0 run to seize early momentum. The teams traded goals throughout the first half, with Lafayette keeping it close behind attacking efforts from Benjamin DiBattista and Nicholas Blalock. Air Force maintained a small lead into halftime and continued to battle through a back-and-forth second half.
Despite Lafayette’s persistent pressure and late push, Air Force held on thanks to key contributions from Driggs and timely defense. The Leopards will look to regroup after the narrow loss, while the Falcons celebrate a hard-fought opening weekend victory.
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