Cornell senior CJ Kirst, the nation’s leading scorer, had a career night with 12 points as the third-ranked Big Red rallied from an early four-goal deficit for a 22-9 triumph at Hobart on Tuesday evening at Boswell Field. The Big Red improved to 3-0, while the Statesmen dropped to 2-2.
Kirst scored six goals for the third straight game and posted a career-high six assists as part of a 12-point day – tied for the third-most in a game in school history. In the process, the captain moved within eight goals of Mike French’s school record of 191, jumped into the top 10 in career assists (73), and joined Eamon McEneaney for fifth in career points (256). He cashed in on six of his 10 shots and added a ground ball, which caused a turnover in the effort.
The Big Red trailed 7-3 early as Hobart was buzzing around, but the Big Red methodically picked the Statesmen apart over the game’s final 41 minutes, scoring 19 goals, including a 10-0 run that spanned the halves and turned the game around. Senior goalkeeper Wyatt Knust kept Hobart at bay with 16 saves in another stellar effort between the pipes before giving way to Matthew Tully late as the two combined for 18 stops. Brendan Staub was also fantastic, winning 10 ground balls and causing three turnovers in the victory.
Ryan Goldstein registered a hat trick and added three assists, Ryan Waldman had a goal and three helpers, and both Jack Cascadden, who was 14-of-28 on face-offs with seven ground balls, and Willem Firth each scored twice. In all, 15 different players registered a point and 13 of them was credited with at least one goal.  Cornell held a 58-48 lead in shots and was ahead in ground balls, 40-34.Â
Alex Rosa scored three early goals but was kept off the scoresheet in the final 47 minutes. Jackson Faiola kept the damage from being even worse, making 14 stops. The Statesmen held a slight advantage at the draw circle, winning 19-of-35 re-starts.
Cornell will face its second consecutive Big East squad when it visits Richmond for the first time on Sunday, March 2 at 1 p.m. Meanwhile, Hobart will head out on the road for the first time this season, visiting Robert Morris on Saturday, March 1. The opening faceoff at Joe Walton Stadium is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].