Mac O Keefe Bio
Macaire Emeric “Mac” O’Keefe (born February 6, 1998) is an American professional lacrosse player who currently plays for the Archers Lacrosse Club in the Premier Lacrosse League and the San Diego Seals in the National Lacrosse League. He rose to national prominence as the all-time leading goal scorer in NCAA history, a record he set during his senior season at Penn State. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 180 pounds, O’Keefe is recognized as one of the most prolific scorers in the sport and has built a reputation as a dynamic shooter and offensive leader.
A left-handed attackman in field lacrosse and a forward in box lacrosse, O’Keefe has carried his college scoring touch into the professional ranks, capturing a PLL championship in his rookie season. His combination of power, accuracy, and a deceptive release has drawn comparisons to elite scorers in other sports and helped establish him as a marquee name in modern lacrosse.
Early Life and Background
Mac O’Keefe was born on February 6, 1998, in Plainview, New York, and raised in nearby Syosset, New York. He grew up as one of two children to Brian O’Keefe and Lynann O’Keefe. His father played college lacrosse at Fairleigh Dickinson University, where he recorded 251 career points, and later competed professionally in the National Lacrosse League with the New York Saints and the Anaheim Storm, giving the O’Keefe household a deep connection to the sport.
Because of his father’s background, Mac grew up playing box lacrosse, which helped shape his instincts around the net and his hard, accurate shot. In field lacrosse, he originally played as a goalie before switching to attack in eighth grade, a move that unlocked his offensive potential. O’Keefe attended Syosset High School, where he starred for the varsity lacrosse team and helped the program capture Nassau County and Long Island Class A Championships in 2015, leading Nassau County in goals that same season.
His high school play earned him honorable mention All-America honors in both 2014 and 2015, drawing the attention of top college programs. By the time he graduated, O’Keefe had established himself as one of the most promising attackmen in the country.
Path to Professional Lacrosse
O’Keefe began his collegiate career at Penn State in 2017 and immediately announced his presence on the national stage. In his first collegiate game against Robert Morris, he scored seven goals, earning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors. He went on to break Penn State’s single-season goals record, which had stood since 1957, finishing with 51 goals and earning honorable mention All-American recognition as a freshman.
After his freshman year, O’Keefe spent time in the Ontario Junior Lacrosse League with the Orangeville Northmen, where he scored 33 points in 15 games and continued to refine his box-lacrosse skills. As a sophomore he led Penn State with 35 goals, and as a junior he formed a dynamic partnership with teammate Grant Ament, leading the NCAA with 78 goals and posting 96 points. In the NCAA quarterfinal against Loyola that season, he tied the NCAA record for most goals in a tournament game with nine, helping Penn State reach its first-ever Final Four.
Following the 2021 season, O’Keefe entered the professional ranks after being selected sixth overall by Chaos in the 2021 PLL College Draft. He had also been drafted 15th overall by the San Diego Seals in the 2020 NLL Draft, setting the stage for a dual-league career.
Mac O Keefe Career
Early Career (2017–2021, Penn State)
O’Keefe’s early collegiate career was defined by record-breaking scoring. He earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors six times and Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week twice during his first season, then continued to produce at a high level despite a brief dip in goals during his sophomore year. His play helped position Penn State as a national contender and established him as one of the most dangerous attackmen in college lacrosse.
As a junior and senior, he became the centerpiece of the Nittany Lions offense, pairing with Grant Ament to form one of the most productive scoring duos in program history. Across five seasons, he finished as Penn State’s second all-time leader in points with 269 and became the NCAA’s all-time leader in goals with 221, breaking the previous record held by Duke’s Justin Guterding in a 14–13 overtime win over Michigan in which he scored six times, including the overtime winner. He also earned a bachelor’s degree in communications and pursued a second degree in labor and employment relations.
Premier Lacrosse League Breakthrough (2021–2023)
O’Keefe was selected sixth overall by Chaos in the 2021 PLL College Draft and made an immediate impact in his first professional season. Playing alongside established professionals, he showcased the shooting ability that had defined his college career and quickly earned a role as a key offensive contributor.
During his rookie year, O’Keefe won the PLL Championship with Chaos, becoming a champion in his first season of professional play. His scoring touch and poise on the big stage confirmed that his college production could translate to the highest level of field lacrosse.
Archers Lacrosse Club Era (2023–Present)
In the 2023 offseason, O’Keefe signed a two-year contract with the Archers Lacrosse Club as a free agent, reuniting with his former Penn State teammate Grant Ament. The move brought one of the league’s most dangerous scoring combinations back together and gave the Archers a high-powered left-handed attackman capable of stretching opposing defenses.
Since joining the Archers, O’Keefe has continued to play a central role in the team’s offensive system, drawing on his shooting versatility and field vision. His presence has helped the franchise remain competitive in the PLL’s demanding, condensed schedule.
San Diego Seals Era (2022–Present)
O’Keefe was selected 15th overall by the San Diego Seals in the 2020 NLL Draft and made his NLL debut during the 2022 season. His transition to box lacrosse was a natural one, given his years of experience playing the indoor game while growing up.
With the Seals, he has served as a scoring forward, using his signature shot to threaten from the wings and the crease. He continues to balance his PLL and NLL commitments, giving him one of the most demanding schedules in professional lacrosse.
Driving Style and Strengths
O’Keefe is widely regarded as one of the best shooters in the world. He combines a low release point with a very deceptive release, generating extreme power and accuracy on his shots. Analysts have compared his scoring profile to that of a “stretch shooter” in basketball, a player who spaces the floor and punishes defenses from range. His left-handed shot and comfort in both field and box settings make him a unique offensive weapon for his clubs.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his career highlights, O’Keefe holds the NCAA all-time goals record with 221, set during his final season at Penn State. He tied the NCAA record for most goals in a tournament game with nine in a quarterfinal win over Loyola, helped Penn State reach its first Final Four, and won a PLL championship with Chaos in his rookie professional season. He also scored in each of his final 43 collegiate games, underscoring his remarkable consistency.
Mac O Keefe Career Wins
O’Keefe’s career victories span the collegiate, PLL, and NLL levels. His most prominent team title came in 2021, when he won the PLL Championship with Chaos in his first professional season. He also helped Penn State reach the NCAA Final Four in 2019 and contributed to multiple Nassau County and Long Island Class A Championships while at Syosset High School.
NCAA and PLL Highlights
During his five seasons at Penn State, O’Keefe earned three All-American selections and three First Team All-Big Ten honors, while becoming the NCAA’s all-time leader in goals with 221. He led the Big Ten in goals as a freshman, junior, and senior, and was named Big Ten Tournament MVP in 2019.
In the PLL, O’Keefe won a championship with Chaos as a rookie in 2021 before joining the Archers in 2023, where he has continued to serve as a primary scoring option alongside Grant Ament.
Other Wins and Performances
At the high school level, O’Keefe helped Syosset capture Nassau County and Long Island Class A Championships in 2015, leading Nassau County in goals that season. He also earned honorable mention All-America honors in both 2014 and 2015.
Mac O Keefe Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
O’Keefe comes from a family with a strong lacrosse tradition. His father, Brian O’Keefe, played college lacrosse at Fairleigh Dickinson University, where he recorded 251 career points, and later played professionally in the NLL with the New York Saints and the Anaheim Storm. His mother is Lynann O’Keefe. The family’s connection to the sport played a central role in Mac’s development as a player.
Personal Life
Born and raised on Long Island, O’Keefe maintains ties to his New York roots while pursuing a professional career that takes him between PLL and NLL cities. He has pursued his education at Penn State, earning a bachelor’s degree in communications and a second degree in labor and employment relations.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 season, O’Keefe remains a central figure for the Archers Lacrosse Club in the PLL and continues his role with the San Diego Seals in the NLL. Reunited with longtime Penn State teammate Grant Ament, he is expected to serve as a primary scoring option in the Archers’ offense, using his signature left-handed shot to test defenses from the perimeter and inside.
For the Seals, O’Keefe’s box-lacrosse background and shot profile make him a consistent threat in tight quarters. His continued production in both leagues will be a key storyline as he works to add to his professional trophy case beyond his 2021 PLL title.
With his NCAA scoring record secured and his professional career still in its early stages, O’Keefe enters 2025 as one of the most recognizable names in lacrosse, carrying the ambitions of both the Archers and the Seals into the new season.