In Ithaca, New York, Cornell University’s CJ Kirst made a splash in the world of collegiate lacrosse by breaking the all-time NCAA Division I career goal record on April 26, 2025. Kirst, a standout attackman standing at 6-foot-2, earned this remarkable achievement during a closely contested game against Dartmouth, where he scored his record-breaking goal in the very first minute. This goal contributed to Cornell’s 10-8 victory over Dartmouth.
Since joining Cornell, Kirst has consistently showcased his goal-scoring talent. In his first full season as a sophomore, following a canceled season in 2021, he netted an impressive 55 goals, which earned him the Ivy League Rookie of the Year title. His performance only improved in the NCAA tournament, where he scored seven goals in a first-round matchup against Ohio State, tying the program record.
In fact, Kirst’s career has seen him score no fewer than 45 goals in a single season, averaging over three goals per game. He has now overtaken Virginia’s Payton Cormier, who set the previous record by scoring eight goals in a single NCAA tournament game in 2024 while leading his team to reach the national semifinals.
Notably, Kirst now ranks among other prominent goal scorers in the history of DI men’s lacrosse. Players such as Penn State’s Grant O’Keefe, who recorded 78 goals in a season, Duke’s Justin Guterding with his exceptional senior season, and Chris Williams, who tied Guterding’s record, all feature prominently on the all-time list.
Other leaders include NC State’s Stan Cockerton, known for his incredible scoring rate before the program was disbanded in 1982. Kirst’s achievement not only cements his status in lacrosse history but also showcases the growth and excitement of the sport at the collegiate level.
