Top-ranked Cornell delivered a strong all-around performance to defeat No. 4 Syracuse, 17-12, on Saturday afternoon at Mitchel Field. The Big Red improved to 10-1 on the season, while the Orange dropped to 8-3.
Cornell jumped out to an early six-goal lead and maintained control throughout, answering every Syracuse run and never trailing. Senior CJ Kirst led the Big Red with five goals and three assists, surpassing 300 career points and moving within five goals of the NCAA career record. Ryan Goldstein matched Kirst with eight points of his own, tallying three goals and five assists.
Cornell’s success was fueled by contributions across the field. Jack Cascadden won 16 faceoffs and collected 10 ground balls, while the team went 4-for-7 on extra-man opportunities. Goalie Wyatt Knust recorded 14 saves, including eight in the first quarter, helping Cornell establish a 5-2 lead early.
Syracuse was led by Owen Hiltz, who had four goals and two assists, and Luke Rhoa, who added three goals and a helper. Despite a late third-quarter surge that cut the deficit to two, Cornell responded in the fourth and kept Syracuse scoreless for the final 10 minutes.
With the win, Cornell earned its third straight victory over its in-state rival and added another top-five win to its résumé.
Next up, the Big Red will wrap up its regular season road schedule when it visits Top 10 foe Harvard on Saturday, April 19 at 1 p.m. at Jordan Field. Syracuse will do the same as it heads to Durham, North Carolina to face Duke at 2 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].