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The Cornell University men's lacrosse team clinched the NCAA national championship title on Monday (May 26) at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, defeating the University of Maryland with a score of 13-10. This victory marks Cornell's first national title in 48 years and the fourth in the program's history.
The top-ranked Big Red, led by head coach Connor Buczek, maintained their lead throughout the match against the second-ranked Maryland Terrapins. Senior CJ Kirst was instrumental in the win, scoring six goals, including the final one into an empty net with less than a minute remaining. Kirst's performance earned him the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award. His six goals in the game brought his season total to 82, tying the NCAA single-season record held by Yale's Jon Reese and UAlbany's Miles Thompson, as noted by Cornell Big Red.
Cornell's journey to the championship included wins over UAlbany, Richmond, and Penn State. The team finished the season with an impressive 18-1 record, tying the Division I mark for wins in a season. The victory was especially meaningful for the senior class, who had reached the national finals in 2022 but fell short against Maryland. According to Cornell Chronicle, Coach Buczek expressed immense pride in his team, stating, "They had a mission. They had a goal."
Maryland, who last won the championship in 2022, struggled with turnovers and failed clear attempts, which hindered their comeback efforts. Despite their efforts, the Terrapins could not overcome Cornell's potent offense, as reported by Syracuse.com.
Cornell's win is a testament to their resilience and determination, and the team looks forward to continuing their success in future seasons.