In a weekday game in Geneva, New York, the Red came from behind to take a definitive 22-9 victory against Hobart College (2-2). Next, No. 3 Cornell (3-0) heads to Virginia to take on a new competitor: No. 14 University of Richmond.
Tuesday’s match with Hobart gave the Red’s characteristic offense its time to shine. Though the Statesmen took an early lead that widened to 7-3 by the beginning of the second quarter, the Red was able to turn the tides with a 10-point run, putting them up 13-7.
“[Hobart] plays very fast, they play with a ton of energy, and they challenge you,” said head coach Connor Buczek ’15. “They did a great job bucking the trend and making us unsettled. It was up to us to manage that, to have the poise to settle down.”
Veteran leadership had a large impact on the team’s ability to bounce back. Two seniors netting their first goals of the season, midfielder Walker Wallace scoring on a transition and midfielder Michael Bozzi following him up, kickstarted the second-quarter run that was so crucial to the comeback.
“Tuesday [games] are always a challenge,” Buzcek said. “There’s a need for senior and veteran leadership that recognizes that whatever happened on Saturday doesn’t help you on Tuesday. You have to re-focus and center yourself.”
Senior attackman CJ Kirst lived up to his designation as Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week after he singlehandedly outperformed Denver on Saturday, scoring six goals to the Pioneers’ five and took home 12 points against the Statesmen. He currently leads the country with six goals per game.
Netting six at Hobart put Kirst in striking distance of Mike French’s ’76 University record of 191 career goals, as the attackman is now at 183.
“[Kirst] is the best player in the country,” Buzcek said. “The best part about him is that he’s willing to be part of the whole. He’s helping the whole team look better.”
Not only did Kirst show up in front of the net, but 12 other players scored against Hobart in a demonstration of the team’s depth. Sophomore attackman Ryan Goldstein took home five points – including three goals — and junior faceoff Jack Cascadden and sophomore attackman Willem Firth had two-score games.
“Everybody’s got to do their job,” Buzcek said. “We want everybody to play well individually, but they have to play well collectively. They have to be making the whole better than the sum of its parts.”
Looking ahead, the team is preparing to travel to Richmond, Virginia for the first-ever meeting between the Red and the Spiders.
After beginning its season with a 12-7 loss to No. 2 Maryland, Richmond has taken three consecutive victories. Most recently, the Spiders edged out Lehigh — who the Red defeated 18-10 in its season opener — for a one-goal win.
Richmond is known for an aggressive defense, one that is coordinated by Paul Richards, a one-time member of Cornell’s coaching staff.
“[Richmond’s defense] is very unified,” Buzcek said. “They play great, fundamental defense. It’s a team we have a lot of respect for.”
Hoping to get out ahead of the Spiders — including graduate student goalkeeper Zach Vigue, who was third in the country for goals against average in 2024 — the Red looks to start strong and continue its momentum.
With a long day of travel before the game, the team plans on resting up before facing Richmond at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 5. Coverage of the match will be available on ESPN+.
