Cornell Wins First NCAA Lacrosse Title Since 1977 Over Maryland

Cornell men's lacrosse team won the 2025 NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship, defeating Maryland 13-10 to claim their fourth national title and ending a 48-year championship drought. CJ Kirst led the team with six goals, tying the single-season NCAA record with 82 goals, and scored the final goal with 50 seconds remaining. The championship game was closely contested, with Maryland never leading but Cornell never ahead by more than three goals. In the semifinal, Cornell overcame a tough 11-9 victory against Penn State, where Kirst was held scoreless for the first time all season, but teammates like Hugh Kelleher and Michael Long stepped up to fill the scoring gap. Maryland, led by goalie Logan McNaney and coach John Tillman, had reached their fourth national final in five seasons but fell short against the top-seeded Big Red. Cornell's coach Connor Buczek praised the team's depth and leadership, highlighting the collective effort that secured the title at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.