Lacrosse was back in style in 2021. A game that moves so fast often lends itself to flashy highlights, but thanks to USA Lacrosse Magazine’s team of photographers (with a little help from staff photographers from colleges across the nation), some of the most intimate moments of 2021 were captured in stills.

Take a look at our favorite photos of the past year. Pick up the December 2021 edition to see it laid out in print.

EYE OF THE TIGER
PHOTO BY LARRY FRENCH/NCAA PHOTOS

Ryan Barnable rips off his helmet to celebrate after scoring the game-winning goal in double overtime, lifting RIT to its first NCAA Division III men’s lacrosse championship with a 15-14 win over Salisbury at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn. Perennial contenders, the Tigers had fallen short in two previous Memorial Day weekend appearances. They finished a perfect 14-0.

LUNAR LANDING
PHOTO BY BILLIE WEISS/NOTRE DAME

Kacie Mooney flies into the outstretched arms of her teammates after Notre Dame scored a goal in an NCAA quarterfinal game at Boston College.

ALL THE FEELS
PHOTO BY MATT RILEY

Virginia’s Ian Laviano sprawls out on the turf at Rentschler Field to soak it all in after the Cavaliers’ 17-16 win over Maryland in the NCAA Division I men’s lacrosse championship game in East Hartford, Conn. Veteran photographer Matt Riley calls it one of his favorite photos he has ever taken.

NET GAIN
PHOTO BY NICK IERADI

Chaos midfielder Dhane Smith, drenched in sweat and bubbly, tucks a piece of black net into the adjustable strap of his Premier Lacrosse League championship hat and lets out a roar following a 14-9 win over the two-time defending champion Whipsnakes at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.

DOME DIVING, PART ONE
PHOTO BY RICH BARNES

Syracuse’s Lila Nazarian goes airborne after colliding with Stony Brook’s Kaeli Huff during a Feb. 27 clash at the Carrier Dome won by Syracuse 16-6. The Orange overcame season-ending injuries to star players Emily Hawryschuk and Megan Carney to advance to the NCAA championship game before falling to Boston College.

DOME DIVING, PART TWO
PHOTO BY RICH BARNES

Vermont’s David Closterman takes a diving backhand shot on Syracuse goalie Drake Porter during a March 6 game at the Carrier Dome.

CALM BEFORE THE STORM
PHOTO BY NAT LEDONNE/DUKE

Duke midfielder Nakeie Montgomery before the Blue Devils’ NCAA quarterfinal game May 23 against Loyola at Arlotta Stadium in South Bend, Ind.

GOING OUT ON HIS TERMS
PHOTO BY NICK IERADI

Paul Rabil walks off the field at Casey Stadium in Albany following the Cannons’ PLL playoff-clinching 13-10 win over the Chrome in which he had a game-high six points Aug. 14. Rabil announced his retirement a month later, finishing his 14-year career as the all-time leading scorer in pro field lacrosse history.

SHOW STOPPERS
PHOTO BY KEVIN P. TUCKER

Samantha Bennett, a class of 2022 midfielder, signals another victory for Massachusetts/Rhode Island in the USA Lacrosse Women’s National Tournament at Cedar Lane Regional Park in Bel Air, Md. Mass/RI defeated Maryland Metro 8-5 to capture the top flight in the event, which dates back to 1933. Mass/RI also won it in 2019. There was no tournament in 2020 because of the pandemic.

SHOCK AND KAVANAGH
PHOTO COURTESY OF NOTRE DAME

Notre Dame’s Pat Kavanagh shoots between his legs with his back to the goal to score as Syracuse defenseman Grant Murphy delivers a cross check in front of goalie Drake Porter. Kavanagh, the sophomore sensation who would go on to be named a Tewaaraton Award finalist, set a school single-game record with 10 points (five goals, five assists) in a 22-8 Fighting Irish victory May 1 at Arlotta Stadium in South Bend, Ind.

INSIDE THE HUDDLE
PHOTO BY KAIT DEVIR/ATHLETES UNLIMITED

Kylie Ohlmiller commands her teammates’ attention during a July 30 game in Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse at Maureen Hendricks Field in Boyds, Md. Playing for Team Arsenault, Ohlmiller scored five goals and added two assists in an 8-7 win over Team Warden.

ALLY DODGE
PHOTO BY KAIT DEVIR/ATHLETES UNLIMITED

Playing for Team Warden, Ally Kennedy sprints beyond the reach of Team Treanor’s Molly Little during an Aug. 1 game and Week 2 of the inaugural Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse season. Team Treanor held on for a 10-9 win at Maureen Hendricks Field in Boyds, Md.