The 1987 NCAA Division I lacrosse tournament was the 17th annual tournament hosted by the National Collegiate Athletic Association to determine the team champion of men's college lacrosse among its Division I programs, held at the end of the 1987 NCAA Division I men's lacrosse season.
Johns Hopkins defeated Cornell in the championship game, 11âÂÂ10. This was the seventh NCAA championship for Hopkins since tournament play began in 1971âÂÂand third in four yearsâÂÂand was also their twelfth appearance out of sixteen title matches.
The championship game was played at Rutgers Stadium at Rutgers University in Piscataway, New Jersey, with 16,901 fans in attendance.
Twelve NCAA Division I college men's lacrosse teams met after having played their way through a regular season, and for some, a conference tournament.
Craig Bubier scored with 1:51 left in the game gave Johns Hopkins the final with the goal coming off a fast break after Quint Kessenich intercepted a long clear by the Cornell goalie. Kessenich had 21 saves for Hopkins. Hopkins was sparked on defense by goalkeeper Kessenich and Dave Pietramala, while National Hall of Fame member attackman Tim Goldstein tallied two goals and added six assists for Cornell.
Cornell had defeated a Syracuse team in the semifinals, 18âÂÂ15, in a game which featured Paul and Gary Gait. Adelphi upset #7 Army 6-5 in the first round.