Sports
Men’s Lacrosse Crushed by Penn State in Top-10 Matchup
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The fourth quarter was the closest as both teams tallied two goals apiece, but a penalty-ridden stretch ultimately barred Cornell from its much-needed comeback.
The Cornell Daily Sun (https://cornellsun.com/tag/mens-lacrosse/page/2/)
Jason Ben Nathan | Sun Staff Photographer
Head coach Matt Kerwick expects senior midfielder John Edmonds to play a much larger role in the offense this season.
The Cornell men’s lacrosse team remains one of the most storied programs in the NCAA. The team has won three national championships (1971, 1976, 1977) and participated in the NCAA tournament a total of 30 times. Notable alumni include Mike French ’76 MPS ’78, Eamon McEneaney ’77 and Rob Pannell ’13. The Red has won 31 Ivy League titles, the most recent coming in 2023. Led by head coach Connor Buczek ’15, this season’s squad is captained by senior attackman CJ Kirst, fifth year attackman Michael Long, senior defenseman Jack Follows and junior midfielder Christopher Davis.
The fourth quarter was the closest as both teams tallied two goals apiece, but a penalty-ridden stretch ultimately barred Cornell from its much-needed comeback.
CJ Kirst posted a touchdown –– seven goals –– and an assist for eight points while Michael Long assembled a hat trick and a seven-point effort to cement the win.
“It was a big one,” said senior attackman CJ Kirst. “Especially coming off [of] Saturday where it was a tough loss out in Denver, we had to come out swinging and play our best, and I think we did that today.”
The game featured eight lead changes across the four quarters and no team led by more than four goals.
Cornell enters the 2024 season at No. 5 and No. 8 United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association and Inside Lacrosse polls, respectively.
The Red fought from start to finish, but ultimately lost in overtime, 15-14.
This is the first ever postseason matchup between Cornell and Michigan.
The Tewaaraton Award is considered the highest honor in college lacrosse.
Adler’s lacrosse career will continue with Atlas Lacrosse Club.
The road back to the national championship game will start at Schoellkopf Field.