Cornell Men’s Lacrosse Heads to NCAA Tournament After Historic Ivy Title Triumph

Ithaca, New York

The Cornell men’s lacrosse team, boasting a record of 14-1 and ranked No. 1 in the nation, has secured its spot in the NCAA Tournament with a decisive 20-15 victory over second-ranked Princeton in the Ivy League championship game on May 4. This win marks the Big Red’s first Ivy tournament title since 2018.

With a 10-game winning streak, the longest in the nation, Cornell will next compete against the University at Albany on May 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Schoellkopf Field. Albany advanced by defeating Siena, 11-9, in the opening round.

Richard M. Moran Head Coach of Lacrosse expressed the significance of their previous season, saying, “The failure [to make the 2024 NCAA Tournament] hurt. But the scars create a callus. They create a toughness and a resilience.”

Co-captain CJ Kirst ’25 led the charge against Princeton with four goals and three assists. He made headlines earlier this season on April 26 when he became the NCAA’s all-time leading goal-scorer, achieving his 225th career goal. On May 6, Kirst was also the first pick in the Premier League Lacrosse (PLL) draft, chosen by the Philadelphia Waterdogs, joining his three older brothers in professional lacrosse.

“It’s always been my dream to keep playing lacrosse,” Kirst shared. “I’m a huge fan of the league and what they’re doing for the game, so to be able to join my older brothers is pretty cool.” This season, he leads the team with 68 goals, adding 30 assists to his tally.

Fellow co-captain Michael Long ’25 emphasized the importance of past experiences, referencing the 2022 national championship loss to Maryland as a learning opportunity for the current squad. “The biggest takeaway from the 2022 final is having a blueprint for how to build a team that contends,” he said, noting that he has also contributed significantly this season with 27 goals and 30 assists.

Defensive standout Jayson Singer ’25, recently named Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year, echoed the sentiment, expressing a desire to leave a positive legacy for future players. “We really want to make this year different and make sure we left on a season we could be proud of,” Singer stated.

Coach Buczek affirmed the commitment of this year’s seniors, highlighting their recognition of the importance of daily hard work for building a championship-caliber team. “They’ve been stellar,” Buczek said. “It’s not easy feeling the urgency in the summer and fall. But they’ve recognized how thin these margins are.”

Cornell’s storied lacrosse history is intertwined with the legacy of Richie Moran, who coached the team from 1969 and secured three national championships. His influence continues to foster a strong culture among current players and alumni. “His relationships created the strength of our culture,” Buczek remarked.

As Cornell prepares for Albany, they will focus on correcting fundamental issues before turning their attention to their opponent. Long stated, “We’ll correct any fundamental issues we see, and Thursday we’ll start turning our attention to our opponent.”

With aspirations to advance to the pinnacle of college lacrosse, the Big Red is poised to approach each game with determination, knowing that they will leave nothing to chance. “We’re going to play every game like it’s the national championship,” Singer concluded, reinforcing the team’s focus on excellence.