OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Callum Robinson Mustang Classic has become one of the premier early-season showcases in Division III men’s lacrosse, and the opening day of the 2026 edition delivered everything fans could hope for: nationally ranked matchups, dramatic comebacks, dominant performances, and a game-of-the-year candidate to open the tournament.
Five games highlighted the first day of action at Stevenson University, including a 43-goal offensive shootout between No. 4 Lynchburg and No. 2 Christopher Newport, statement victories from national contenders No. 1 Tufts and No. 10 Dickinson, a physical defensive battle between No. 13 RIT and No. 9 Gettysburg, and a nightcap where No. 15 Washington & Lee pulled away from host Stevenson.
From start to finish, the Classic showcased exactly why the event continues to draw some of the best teams in Division III lacrosse each season.
Before going into the exciting games from day one, there continues to be a bigger cause for this classic, Callum Robinson. Last season, one year after the tragic passing of former lacrosse superstar and Stevenson alumni Callum Robinson, his brother Jake and their good friend Jack Carter Rhoad the Mustang classic was renamed to honor Callum and the legacy he created here at Stevenson.
Since then, teams continue to come to Stevenson and continue to want to be a part of this classic, not just for the love of the game but for the frenzy of love for the cause.
But the Classic is about much more than the games themselves.
Callum’s legacy continues to surround the community.
At its core, the event represents a deep love for the sport and the community surrounding it. Hundreds of student-athletes compete throughout the weekend, representing their universities and the countless hours they have devoted to reaching this level of competition.
Coaches, many of whom balance multiple roles within their athletic departments, dedicate enormous time and energy to developing their programs. Assistant coaches often juggle other careers while continuing to contribute to the sport they care deeply about.
Beyond the teams and staff, families also play a major role in the atmosphere of the Classic. Parents and supporters travel long distances to watch their sons compete, gathering in the stands and parking lots to celebrate the experience together. Over time, these groups form connections with other families and programs, united by the same passion for the game.
The tournament itself traces its origins back more than a decade. Stevenson head coach Paul Cantabene originally created a lacrosse event to help raise the profile of Division III lacrosse and bring high-level competition together in one place. Inspired by the success of other multi-team collegiate events hosted at Stevenson, the idea quickly grew into what is now considered one of the sport’s premier showcases.
Today, the Classic continues to highlight the depth and quality of Division III lacrosse. With top programs traveling from across the country to compete in Owings Mills, the event provides players an opportunity to test themselves against elite competition early in the season.
Yet the heart of the event goes beyond rankings and results.
For many who attend, the Classic is defined by the atmosphere—the feeling of shared excitement, camaraderie, and appreciation for the sport. It’s a place where players, coaches, families, and fans come together to celebrate lacrosse and the community built around it.
In that sense, the Callum Robinson Mustang Classic truly lives up to its reputation: a weekend that feels less like a tournament and more like a celebration of the game itself.
Steve Levy, who has worked more than 500 lacrosse contests recently wrote about the history and continued legacy of this classic. You can read more here.
No. 4 Lynchburg 22, No. 2 Christopher Newport 21
Hastings leads Hornets in 43-goal instant classic
The opening game of the Classic set the tone for the entire weekend, as No. 4 Lynchburg stunned No. 2 Christopher Newport 22–21 in one of the most dramatic games of the Division III season.
The two teams combined for 43 goals and more than 80 shots, with momentum swinging back and forth for four quarters in a game that felt destined to be decided in the final moments.
At the center of it all was Lynchburg star Riley Hastings, who delivered one of the most remarkable individual performances in recent program history. Hastings finished with eight goals and five assists for 13 points, setting a program single-game record and driving the Hornets’ offense from start to finish.
Christopher Newport struck first with 13:33 remaining in the first quarter, but the Hornets answered almost immediately, scoring just 23 seconds later to tie the game and signal that this matchup would be anything but slow-paced.
The teams traded goals throughout the opening quarter, but the Captains appeared to seize control late in the period. Christopher Newport scored four straight goals, building a 6–3 advantage and threatening to create separation.
Lynchburg refused to let the game slip away.
The Hornets delivered two goals in the final seconds of the quarter—including one with just four seconds remaining—cutting the deficit to 6–5 heading into the second quarter.
Christopher Newport briefly regained momentum early in the second quarter, pushing its lead to 8–5, but Lynchburg continued to chip away. Strong defensive pressure and timely faceoff wins helped the Hornets slowly close the gap, eventually tying the game 8–8 with just over four minutes remaining in the half.
Then came one of the most dramatic sequences of the afternoon.
With just 13.7 seconds remaining in the half, Lynchburg scored to take a 9–8 lead, and just eight seconds later, the Hornets struck again to extend the lead to 10–8 heading into halftime.
The momentum continued into the second half.
Just 20 seconds into the third quarter, Lynchburg scored again and eventually built its largest lead of the game at 16–10, appearing to take firm control midway through the third period.
But Christopher Newport wasn’t finished.
The Captains mounted a furious comeback, scoring seven of the next eight goals to erase the deficit and tie the game 17–17 early in the fourth quarter.
From there, the game turned into a dramatic exchange of goals.
Christopher Newport took a 20–19 lead midway through the fourth before Lynchburg tied it again. The Captains then reclaimed the lead once more, going ahead 21–20 with just over three minutes remaining.
Still, Lynchburg had one final response.
With the shot clock winding down and 31 seconds left in regulation, the Hornets scored the go-ahead goal with three seconds remaining on the shot clock, taking a 22–21 lead.
Christopher Newport called a timeout and set up one final possession, but Lynchburg’s defense held strong to secure the victory.
The win marked Lynchburg’s first victory over Christopher Newport since 2021 and improved the Hornets to 5–0, while the Captains suffered their first loss of the season, falling to 9–1.
For a tournament known for producing memorable games, the opening matchup immediately set the bar for the rest of the weekend.
No. 13 RIT 10, No. 9 Gettysburg 7
Tigers grind out defensive win
Following the offensive fireworks of game one, the second matchup between No. 13 Rochester Institute of Technology and No. 9 Gettysburg turned into a much more physical and defensive battle.
RIT wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, striking just one minute into the game before Gettysburg responded to tie the game moments later.
The Tigers regained control quickly, scoring twice more and eventually building a 4–1 lead by the end of the first quarter while controlling the pace and outshooting Gettysburg.
Gettysburg began to find its rhythm in the second quarter, cutting the deficit to 5–3 while tightening its defensive rotations and limiting RIT’s scoring opportunities.
The defensive intensity continued into the second half. RIT finally broke a scoring drought late in the third quarter, pushing the lead to 7–5 heading into the fourth quarter.
In the final period, the Tigers extended their advantage with a key goal midway through the quarter before adding another score to make it 9–5.
Gettysburg mounted a late push with two goals in the final minutes, but RIT sealed the victory with 39 seconds remaining, securing a 10–7 win.
The physical nature of the game boiled over in the closing moments, as a late scrum resulted in penalties for both teams before the final whistle.
No. 10 Dickinson 19, No. 14 St. Lawrence 6
Red Devils dominate from the opening faceoff
The third game of the day featured one of the most dominant performances of the Classic’s opening day, as No. 10 Dickinson overwhelmed No. 14 St. Lawrence 19–6.
The Red Devils came out firing, scoring three goals on their first three shots to jump out to a 3–0 lead within the first five minutes.
Dickinson continued to control possession throughout the first quarter, building a 5–1 lead while winning faceoffs and forcing turnovers.
St. Lawrence attempted to change the momentum early in the second quarter by switching goalies, but Dickinson’s offense remained relentless.
By halftime, the Red Devils had built a commanding 9–2 advantage.
The second half brought more of the same.
Dickinson continued to push the pace offensively while maintaining defensive pressure, extending the lead to 13–4 after three quarters.
The Red Devils added several more goals in the final period, cruising to a 19–6 victory and one of the most complete performances of the day.
No. 1 Tufts 16, Denison 6
Defending champions show their dominance
Two-time defending national champion No. 1 Tufts reminded everyone why they remain the top-ranked team in the country with a commanding performance against Denison.
The Jumbos quickly took control of the game, scoring four goals on five shots in the opening quarter while holding Denison to just two shots.
Tufts ended the first quarter with a 5–1 lead and continued to build momentum in the second quarter, capitalizing on a man-up opportunity to extend the lead to 6–1.
Denison briefly cut into the deficit, but Tufts still carried an 8–2 lead into halftime.
The Jumbos continued their offensive surge in the third quarter, scoring several quick goals to extend the lead to 13–3 and effectively putting the game out of reach.
With the result largely decided, Tufts rotated players and goalies in the fourth quarter before closing out the 16–6 victory.
No. 15 Washington & Lee 16, Stevenson 12
Generals surge in second half to defeat host Mustangs
In the final game of the night, No. 15 Washington & Lee rallied in the second half to defeat host Stevenson 16–12 in a competitive matchup.
The Mustangs faced immediate adversity when they were penalized just two seconds into the game for an illegal body check, giving Washington & Lee an early opportunity.
Although the Generals did not capitalize on the penalty, they eventually opened the scoring with 11:41 remaining in the first quarter.
Stevenson answered quickly behind Alex Wilson, tying the game and igniting a competitive first half.
Both teams traded goals throughout the opening two quarters, with Stevenson gaining momentum late in the second quarter. The Mustangs scored several key goals to take a 9–7 lead into halftime, while also holding an advantage in shots.
But Washington & Lee flipped the momentum in the third quarter.
The Generals scored multiple goals in quick succession, eventually building a 14–11 lead entering the fourth quarter.
Stevenson attempted to rally late, cutting the deficit to 15–12, but Washington & Lee maintained control and added another goal to secure the 16–12 victory.
A Classic Opening Day
From a historic offensive explosion to dominant performances by national contenders, the opening day of the Callum Robinson Mustang Classic delivered an unforgettable slate of Division III lacrosse.
Lynchburg’s dramatic upset of Christopher Newport will likely be remembered as one of the most thrilling games of the season, while Dickinson and Tufts demonstrated the depth and firepower that make them national championship contenders.
With several top-ranked programs still in action and momentum already building in Owings Mills, the stage is set for another exciting day of competition at one of the sport’s premier early-season events.
More Lacrosse Coming Your Way
Day two features some exciting matchups including the No. 2 team facing off with No. 1 team in the country.
No. 9 Gettysburg vs. No. 4 Lynchburg, 11 a.m.
No. 10 Dickinson vs. Denison, 1:15 p.m.
No. 2 Christopher Newport vs. No. 1 Tufts, 3:30 p.m.
No. 13 RIT vs. No. 15 W&L, 5:45 p.m.
Stevenson vs. No. 14 St. Lawrence, 8 p.m.
