Entering the 2024 season, men’s lacrosse had expected redemption for an NCAA run cut short by Michigan in 2023. However, a shocking upset to Penn in the Ivy League Tournament semifinal ended Cornell’s dreams of repeating 2022’s National Championship appearance.
This year, the Red’s powerful roster of eight returning starters has already made an impact before stepping foot on the field.
With polls from Inside Lacrosse and U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association ranking Cornell at No. 3, expectations are high.
“We played in many one-goal games last year,” said head coach Connor Buczek ’15. “Several went our way, and some didn’t. It’s as simple as one goal, one bad workout, one bad day on the practice field.”
The short preseason gave the Red little time to prepare for the challenging season ahead — the schedule begins with a trip to Lehigh on Saturday. Seven of the 13 matches on the schedule are against ranked teams, including No. 2 Syracuse and No. 5 Princeton on April 12 and March 15, respectively.
“We want to test ourselves against the best,” Buczek said. “For us, it’s about getting better every day.”
The veteran-heavy roster features many familiar faces, as well as new recruits that are ready to step up to the plate.
Offense
The offense is the calling card of this year’s team. Cornell loses few attackmen after averaging over 15 goals per game last season, good for third in the country. The Red returns nine of its top-10 point-scorers last season, the lone absence being Spencer Wirtheim ’24 who will exhaust his final year of eligibility at the University of North Carolina.
Decorated senior attackman CJ Kirst returns on the front line, fresh off recognitions as USA Lacrosse Division I Men's Preseason Player of the Year and Attackman of the Year. The All-American and 2024 Tewaaraton Award semifinalist –– and 2023 finalist –– led the team last season with 67 points, including 45 goals and 22 assists. Kirst has also topped multiple Premier Lacrosse League mock draft lists, predicted to go first overall this May.
Kirst’s leadership on and off the field as a second-year captain has made him an instrumental component of the Red’s offensive dominance.
“[Kirst] has really stepped into that vocal role,” Buczek said. “He’s always been a guy that led by example and pushed others to match his intensity.”
Senior attackman Michael Long and senior midfielder Hugh Kelleher were featured alongside Kirst on the Tewaaraton Watch List prior to the 2025 season. Long notched 60 points as the Red’s second-highest scorer, followed by sophomore attackman and 2024 Ivy league Rookie of the Year Willem Firth and Kelleher, all netting over 20 goals apiece. Sophomore Ryan Goldstein will also be a key piece for the attack after counting 21 goals and 12 assists in just nine games last year.
The Red’s retention of its most productive offensive players gives the team a skill advantage, as well as a psychological edge on the field.
“We’ve all grown up together,” Buczek said. “This group of veterans has seen it all — been to the national title, missed the dance. Although we feel like we’ve had successful years, there’s still something out there for us to get. They feel that.”
Junior faceoff Jack Cascadden will likely take over at the X with the graduations of Angelo Petrakis ’24 and Marc Psyllos ’24. Cascadden won 21 of 28 faceoffs last year in the season opener against Lehigh before sustaining a season-ending injury. Cornell will need to improve on its numbers from last year, when it won just 47 percent of faceoffs.
Defense
The 2024 roster struggled in the absence of defensive force Gavin Adler ’23, the first overall selection in the 2023 PLL draft.
While facing high-powered offenses, the defense did not perform up to snuff, allowing a dangerous 13 goals per game.
Though Cornell graduates one of its top defenders from last year, Jack Follows ’24, All-American senior Jayson Singer and junior Matt Dooley will return to the field as starters on the defensive line.
“We’ve got a lot of familiar faces back in familiar roles,” Buczek said. “That defensive group’s gonna be unified; they’re gonna be aggressive, because they’re chomping at the bit to prove that we’re better than [last year].”
Returning from injury as short-stick defensive midfielders are seniors Christopher Davis and Micheal Bozzi. Sophomore Luke Gilmartin saw time in the midfield last year, showing plenty of offensive potential with six goals.
Senior goalkeeper Wyatt Knust averaged an allowance of 11.35 goals and a .566 save percentage last season, which was his first year as the starter in goal. Early on, Knust had a battle with sophomore Matt Tully for the net but emerged as the starters’ crease by the end of the season.
“I’ve seen a ton of maturity from [Knust],” Buczek said. “Especially in the specialty positions [like goalkeeper], it’s tough to succeed if you’re looking over your shoulder. The confidence that comes from the ebbs and flows he faced last year have positioned him well to take on this season.”
Freshmen
Along with the return of key upperclassmen, the 2025 roster includes 13 first-year players. Looking to make a difference in the defense are freshmen defensemen Michael Marshall and Beck Mahoney.
The incoming class is midfield-focused, with freshmen Billy Hughes, Jimmy Troy, Will Burfeind, Sebastian Reyes and Drew Diviney all occupying the flexible position. Freshmen Jeremy Launt and Cooper Simpson are the team’s newest long-stick midfielders.
On attack, the Red welcomes freshmen Luke Robinson and Jack Herendeen. Freshman faceoff Michael Melkonian and freshman goalkeeper Tim Piacentini round out the group.
Among the newcomers are four features on Inside Lacrosse’s Power 100 Incoming Freshman list — Piacentini, Marshall, Melkonian and Herendeen.
On a roster with so many established teammates, the freshmen face daunting competition for gameplay. However, Buczek anticipates seeing the latest lineup on the field.
“In the Ivy League, it’s tough for first years to come in and make a splash, given how short our offseason and preseason are,” Buczek said. “But as [the freshmen] get a little more comfortable with everything that's going on around them and catch up to the speed, I expect to see some of those guys really helping us on game day.”
The Red travels to Lehigh for its season opener at noon on Saturday. The game will be available on ESPN+.
