CORNELL WINS 2025 MENS LACROSSE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!

[stereax]

From Kotlikoff:


Cornell University Logo
Dear Cornellians,

Please join us in celebrating Cornell's men's lacrosse team for their electrifying NCAA championship victory May 26 over the University of Maryland. Our Big Red players demonstrated grit, determination, leadership and sportsmanship at every step of this historic season.

This victory marks Cornell's first NCAA team title in any sport since men's lacrosse won the same championship in 1977. Led by Connor Buczek '15, the Richard M. Moran Head Coach of Men's Lacrosse, the team soared in every way, tying a Division I record (18-1), leading the nation in scoring, winning Ivy League titles and producing eight All-American players.

The team's amazing season embodies the best of Cornell, showcasing our values of hard work and perseverance. Their incredible sense of community and teamwork guided them to this victory.

We invite all on the Ithaca campus to join us in honoring the champions with a campus procession at 4:45 p.m. this afternoon, starting at Tanner Terrace in Schoellkopf Hall, along Campus Road, and ending in the Crescent Parking Lot.

Please join me and Cornell Board of Trustees Chair Kraig Kayser, on behalf of the entire Board of Trustees, in congratulating the team members and celebrating their Cornell milestone.

Go Big Red!

Michael I. Kotlikoff
President

Kraig H. Kayser, MBA '84
Chair of the Cornell Board of Trustees

[stereax]

Wish I could make it to the parade. Stuck in NJ though. I'll see if anyone I know is going.

Here's another email:

Victory March Details:

Fans, faculty, and families will be directed to the Crescent Lot to welcome the team.

Supporters are encouraged to line the sidewalk from the Schoellkopf Student Entrance up to the Crescent Lot to cheer on the team as they make their entrance.

At 4:45 PM, the team, coaches, and staff will depart from the base of Tanner Terrace and proceed along the sidewalk up to the Crescent Lot.

We'll have items ready for autographs, and Sharpies on hand so you can get signatures from your favorite champs! We encourage fans to bring items from home to be signed by the team!

[KenP]

For those who weren't there, I've put some photos from the tailgate party and the post-game celebration on a photo-sharing website:
https://chris-h-stuff.smugmug.com/School/2025-Cornell-Lacrosse-Championship/n-DSs6xK

At the tailgate, evidently there is a recent (?) tradition of passing out shots of Fireball (I'm guessing it's that since it's Red) and then a booster/alumni (could be both?) makes a toast to the team and the crowd.  It was really cool.

You caught me in one of your pictures!! I was in the food line at the tailgate, holding my poncho.

[mike1960]

I just re-watched the 4th quarter. MD kind of self destructed. Highly unusual for a Tillman team. 2 failed clears. An offsides. An offensive hold. That's four possessions lost when they desperately needed them.

I would give Cornell more credit. All year long they've had an incredible ride and outlasted teams in the second half. Maryland had trouble with Cornell's pressure and they were probably exhausted at this point.

I hope that pointing out MD's uncharacteristic errors is not giving our team less credit. I agree that pressure from Cornell was part of the reason for MD's turnovers. And also Cornell was not overwhelmed by the pressure on the biggest stage, the mark of a great championship team. In fact, unlike the PSU game, the team moved the ball quickly and cleanly from the opening whistle. They were ready and they were fearless. I also like what djk26 wrote about unassisted goals. This year, this team won playing beautiful lacrosse, they sometimes won ugly, and on championship day they won out of character. They found a weakness in MD's on ball defense and took advantage. Great teams find a way to win.

No expert, but it seemed to me that Tillman limited slides to force our guys to beat their covers one-on-one rather than find the guy left open by a slide.  And CJ and Ryan did.  Ergo, few assists.

It felt like CJ got a lot more attention earlier in the game. RG received some double teams as well. Teams have two days to prepare, so they probably have to rely heavily on their base defenses to get the job done. I wonder if part of the problem is that the MD defense was just gassed as the game approached the fourth quarter. Once CJ realized he could get a step on the pole and put him on his back, he started having lots of success. Even the dive attempt, though blocked by the great MD goalie, proved that CJ could get there.

One thing that Tillman noted in his interview was the Cornell substitution game. For those of us living far away and unable to see the games in person, we don't get a chance to see how Cornell puts pressure on defenses using the midline and sub box. Clearly, the Cornell coaches put a lot of thought into this phase of the game and use it effectively.

It was nice to see a full field view from the goal at times during the game, but I didn't get a chance to see substitutions during those shots and I have the feeling I'll never get the hang of the dynamics of the game.  RPI season tickets for hockey are a no brainer, but U Albany games for lacrosse are only interesting if Cornell makes a visit.

Tillman also mentioned the number of SSDMs Cornell used. Injuries to Bozzi, Hard Hat Box, and Chris Davis left us vulnerable at times this season to getting beat up top. But their injuries also gave other guys playing time and experience when we needed it in the championship run. The SSDM position is hard and thankless for the most part. They played their tails off all championship game to prevent hands free shots from opponents. Also, all season, coaches also used the second line offensive midfield a lot so that there was little if any drop off when they came in. So when crunch time came in the fourth quarter, when it mattered the most, we still had rocket fuel left to push us over the line.

[Chris H82]

The other thing we noted was that Coach Buczek made really good use of his timeout calls a couple of times, when we had barely gotten the ball into the offensive side of the field but our player was at risk of losing the ball.

[BearLover]

I just re-watched the 4th quarter. MD kind of self destructed. Highly unusual for a Tillman team. 2 failed clears. An offsides. An offensive hold. That's four possessions lost when they desperately needed them.

I would give Cornell more credit. All year long they've had an incredible ride and outlasted teams in the second half. Maryland had trouble with Cornell's pressure and they were probably exhausted at this point.

I hope that pointing out MD's uncharacteristic errors is not giving our team less credit. I agree that pressure from Cornell was part of the reason for MD's turnovers. And also Cornell was not overwhelmed by the pressure on the biggest stage, the mark of a great championship team. In fact, unlike the PSU game, the team moved the ball quickly and cleanly from the opening whistle. They were ready and they were fearless. I also like what djk26 wrote about unassisted goals. This year, this team won playing beautiful lacrosse, they sometimes won ugly, and on championship day they won out of character. They found a weakness in MD's on ball defense and took advantage. Great teams find a way to win.

No expert, but it seemed to me that Tillman limited slides to force our guys to beat their covers one-on-one rather than find the guy left open by a slide.  And CJ and Ryan did.  Ergo, few assists.

It felt like CJ got a lot more attention earlier in the game. RG received some double teams as well. Teams have two days to prepare, so they probably have to rely heavily on their base defenses to get the job done. I wonder if part of the problem is that the MD defense was just gassed as the game approached the fourth quarter. Once CJ realized he could get a step on the pole and put him on his back, he started having lots of success. Even the dive attempt, though blocked by the great MD goalie, proved that CJ could get there.

One thing that Tillman noted in his interview was the Cornell substitution game. For those of us living far away and unable to see the games in person, we don't get a chance to see how Cornell puts pressure on defenses using the midline and sub box. Clearly, the Cornell coaches put a lot of thought into this phase of the game and use it effectively.

It was nice to see a full field view from the goal at times during the game, but I didn't get a chance to see substitutions during those shots and I have the feeling I'll never get the hang of the dynamics of the game.  RPI season tickets for hockey are a no brainer, but U Albany games for lacrosse are only interesting if Cornell makes a visit.

Tillman also mentioned the number of SSDMs Cornell used. Injuries to Bozzi, Hard Hat Box, and Chris Davis left us vulnerable at times this season to getting beat up top. But their injuries also gave other guys playing time and experience when we needed it in the championship run. The SSDM position is hard and thankless for the most part. They played their tails off all championship game to prevent hands free shots from opponents. Also, all season, coaches also used the second line offensive midfield a lot so that there was little if any drop off when they came in. So when crunch time came in the fourth quarter, when it mattered the most, we still had rocket fuel left to push us over the line.

The depth of the D and midfield was definitely a subtle key to our success. Now that the season is over, it is clear we had an incredibly deep team with no weaknesses. We also had the best player in the entire country. That's what it took to win the first national title in 48 years.

[Jeff Hopkins '82]

I just re-watched the 4th quarter. MD kind of self destructed. Highly unusual for a Tillman team. 2 failed clears. An offsides. An offensive hold. That's four possessions lost when they desperately needed them.

I would give Cornell more credit. All year long they've had an incredible ride and outlasted teams in the second half. Maryland had trouble with Cornell's pressure and they were probably exhausted at this point.

I hope that pointing out MD's uncharacteristic errors is not giving our team less credit. I agree that pressure from Cornell was part of the reason for MD's turnovers. And also Cornell was not overwhelmed by the pressure on the biggest stage, the mark of a great championship team. In fact, unlike the PSU game, the team moved the ball quickly and cleanly from the opening whistle. They were ready and they were fearless. I also like what djk26 wrote about unassisted goals. This year, this team won playing beautiful lacrosse, they sometimes won ugly, and on championship day they won out of character. They found a weakness in MD's on ball defense and took advantage. Great teams find a way to win.

No expert, but it seemed to me that Tillman limited slides to force our guys to beat their covers one-on-one rather than find the guy left open by a slide.  And CJ and Ryan did.  Ergo, few assists.

It felt like CJ got a lot more attention earlier in the game. RG received some double teams as well. Teams have two days to prepare, so they probably have to rely heavily on their base defenses to get the job done. I wonder if part of the problem is that the MD defense was just gassed as the game approached the fourth quarter. Once CJ realized he could get a step on the pole and put him on his back, he started having lots of success. Even the dive attempt, though blocked by the great MD goalie, proved that CJ could get there.

One thing that Tillman noted in his interview was the Cornell substitution game. For those of us living far away and unable to see the games in person, we don't get a chance to see how Cornell puts pressure on defenses using the midline and sub box. Clearly, the Cornell coaches put a lot of thought into this phase of the game and use it effectively.

On TV, they mentioned several times how Cornell's second middies were scoring and how they were on at times when you'd figure the first middies would be playing.  That also goes to the depth we had in midfield.

[dag14]

That was fantastic.  I drove my graduate home today, avoided the score and watched the game tonight. Almost as good as if it were hockey!  Added bonus was that at the Government department graduation ceremony the Dean mispronounced Knust. Wyatt wasn't there of course but a reminder of priorities.  I feel very happy for the graduation and the lacrosse just makes it better.  I'd love them to win it again so for selfish reasons I can completely focus.

i didn't have a graduate with me in 2009, i had a kid approaching his first birthday, so i had to watch *that* game on tape delay. glad you had a better experience!

My younger son was class of '09.  We watched the semifinal game at his fraternity and came realllly close to jumping in the car after the graduation ceremony and driving to Gillette.  OMG would that have been a horrible drive home.

[ugarte]

The other thing we noted was that Coach Buczek made really good use of his timeout calls a couple of times, when we had barely gotten the ball into the offensive side of the field but our player was at risk of losing the ball.

also one of the worst timeout calls ever! ended up having no impact, but calling a timeout a minute into the second half when a player fell down just as the player was making an incredible pass to his teammate from his back had Buczek immediately apologizing to the team for the quick trigger.

[CU77]

That timeout was nowhere close to "one of the worst ever"!

In the moment, I agreed with it. Cornell looked to be about to lose the ball, and I felt that early momentum just after halftime in a one-goal game was important (and so, apparently, did Buczek). You are correct that the player on the ground (Gilmartin I think) flipped a great desperation pass that was successful, but Buczek had already called the timeout.

Over the years there have been many lax games where a timeout is called by the coach just as his team is scoring, wiping out the goal.

And just the day before, on the very same field, this happened:

https://www.tiktok.com/@lacrossenetwork/video/7508534731760225579

[scoop85]

I just re-watched the 4th quarter. MD kind of self destructed. Highly unusual for a Tillman team. 2 failed clears. An offsides. An offensive hold. That's four possessions lost when they desperately needed them.

I would give Cornell more credit. All year long they've had an incredible ride and outlasted teams in the second half. Maryland had trouble with Cornell's pressure and they were probably exhausted at this point.

I hope that pointing out MD's uncharacteristic errors is not giving our team less credit. I agree that pressure from Cornell was part of the reason for MD's turnovers. And also Cornell was not overwhelmed by the pressure on the biggest stage, the mark of a great championship team. In fact, unlike the PSU game, the team moved the ball quickly and cleanly from the opening whistle. They were ready and they were fearless. I also like what djk26 wrote about unassisted goals. This year, this team won playing beautiful lacrosse, they sometimes won ugly, and on championship day they won out of character. They found a weakness in MD's on ball defense and took advantage. Great teams find a way to win.

No expert, but it seemed to me that Tillman limited slides to force our guys to beat their covers one-on-one rather than find the guy left open by a slide.  And CJ and Ryan did.  Ergo, few assists.

It felt like CJ got a lot more attention earlier in the game. RG received some double teams as well. Teams have two days to prepare, so they probably have to rely heavily on their base defenses to get the job done. I wonder if part of the problem is that the MD defense was just gassed as the game approached the fourth quarter. Once CJ realized he could get a step on the pole and put him on his back, he started having lots of success. Even the dive attempt, though blocked by the great MD goalie, proved that CJ could get there.

One thing that Tillman noted in his interview was the Cornell substitution game. For those of us living far away and unable to see the games in person, we don't get a chance to see how Cornell puts pressure on defenses using the midline and sub box. Clearly, the Cornell coaches put a lot of thought into this phase of the game and use it effectively.

It was nice to see a full field view from the goal at times during the game, but I didn't get a chance to see substitutions during those shots and I have the feeling I'll never get the hang of the dynamics of the game.  RPI season tickets for hockey are a no brainer, but U Albany games for lacrosse are only interesting if Cornell makes a visit.

Tillman also mentioned the number of SSDMs Cornell used. Injuries to Bozzi, Hard Hat Box, and Chris Davis left us vulnerable at times this season to getting beat up top. But their injuries also gave other guys playing time and experience when we needed it in the championship run. The SSDM position is hard and thankless for the most part. They played their tails off all championship game to prevent hands free shots from opponents. Also, all season, coaches also used the second line offensive midfield a lot so that there was little if any drop off when they came in. So when crunch time came in the fourth quarter, when it mattered the most, we still had rocket fuel left to push us over the line.

Lamb for one really improved as the season went along, and he had a clean takeaway yesterday at a key point.

[LGR14]

That timeout was nowhere close to "one of the worst ever"!

In the moment, I agreed with it. Cornell looked to be about to lose the ball, and I felt that early momentum just after halftime in a one-goal game was important (and so, apparently, did Buczek). You are correct that the player on the ground (Gilmartin I think) flipped a great desperation pass that was successful, but Buczek had already called the timeout.

Over the years there have been many lax games where a timeout is called by the coach just as his team is scoring, wiping out the goal.

And just the day before, on the very same field, this happened:

https://www.tiktok.com/@lacrossenetwork/video/7508534731760225579

Agreed.  Also, Buczek has been more aggressive about using the timeout since failing to call one in the first Penn State game when Kirst was pinned on the endline while up 1.  Every possession counts.

[djk26]

Agreed.  Also, Buczek has been more aggressive about using the timeout since failing to call one in the first Penn State game when Kirst was pinned on the endline while up 1.  Every possession counts.

That's why that loss to Penn State was the most important (regular season) game of the year.  Sure it cost them an undefeated regular season but the lessons learned from that game had a big impact going forward.  And if the lesson had to come somwehere, I'm glad it came against Penn State and not, say, Syracuse. ::burnout::

[mike1960]

Agreed.  Also, Buczek has been more aggressive about using the timeout since failing to call one in the first Penn State game when Kirst was pinned on the endline while up 1.  Every possession counts.

That's why that loss to Penn State was the most important (regular season) game of the year.  Sure it cost them an undefeated regular season but the lessons learned from that game had a big impact going forward.  And if the lesson had to come somwehere, I'm glad it came against Penn State and not, say, Syracuse. ::burnout::

+1!

[ugarte]

That timeout was nowhere close to "one of the worst ever"!

In the moment, I agreed with it. Cornell looked to be about to lose the ball, and I felt that early momentum just after halftime in a one-goal game was important (and so, apparently, did Buczek). You are correct that the player on the ground (Gilmartin I think) flipped a great desperation pass that was successful, but Buczek had already called the timeout.

Over the years there have been many lax games where a timeout is called by the coach just as his team is scoring, wiping out the goal.

And just the day before, on the very same field, this happened:

https://www.tiktok.com/@lacrossenetwork/video/7508534731760225579

ok fine but it was still pretty bad given how well Gilmartin recovered lol