May 26, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; Cornell attack Ryan Goldstein (30) passes the ball against the Maryland Terrapins during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images Eric Canha
CJ Kirst didn't waste any time anointing the next face of Cornell lacrosse, following its National Championship, win over Maryland Monday. Kirst accomplished everything under the sun with the Big Red, becoming the NCAA's all-time leading goal scorer, with 247 goals, scoring the most goals in a season with 82, including six in the National Championship. Ryan Goldstein. Philly public school lacrosse >>>>> FACT: Ryan Goldstein is fast af 💨💨💨
His departure leaves a giant void. While answering questions following Cornell's triumph, the topic was brought up. Luckily for Kirst, the answer was sitting five feet to his left: Ryan Goldstein.
"The future is bright for Ryan," Kirst said with a smile on his face. "I know he's going to be Player of the Year, he's going to have it all. He's going to have it all. he's got two years to prove it and I can't wait.
"He's got the program now. I'm excited to see where that goes."
Kirst didn't just randomly pick Goldstein's name out of a hat. He earned that honor by shining on the biggest stage. Goldstein scored four goals, helping Cornell defeat Maryland 13-10, to win its first National Title since 1977. The former Radnor High School product capped off a magical sophomore season, where he finished with 93 points (43 goals, 50 assists). Goldstein's performance helped him earn a spot on the All-Tournament Team, alongside Kirst and fellow attack Michael Long.
Goldstein said he's been going to Final Four's for as long as he can remember. Both his parents, Tim and Tina, played lacrosse at Cornell. Tina was a three-time All-American, while Tim was a two-time All-American. Tim earned Ivy League Player of the Year in 1987 and was the NCAA Tournament's Most Valuable Player after setting the Tournament assist record (16) and points record (25). However, Cornell fell to Johns Hopkins in the National Championship that year.
Monday, Goldstein got to fulfill a prophecy his dad couldn't.
"He's definitely fired up for this one," Goldstein said. "It hasn't really hit me yet, but I'm sure it will soon. It's a really special moment. Happy to be with this group of guys. It's been awesome."
Cornell's attack was the best in the country all season, averaging 15.89 goals per game. Goldstein was a big reason for that. Kirst gets all the plaudits, and rightly so, as the likely Tewaaraton Award winner, given out to the nation's best player. However, teams can't forget about Goldstein or else he'll make them pay. Despite being listed at 5-foot-9, 145 pounds — which may be generous — Goldstein makes defenses look silly with his lightning quick feet and elite lacrosse IQ.
He's a nightmare to deal with in space, as shown by his first goal of the game, where he used a spin move while attacking from behind the goal, which left defender Jackson Canfield completely lost.
(via ESPN / @CornellLacrosse) pic.twitter.com/X5DdcZTX7F
— TLN 🥍 (@LacrosseNetwork) May 26, 2025
Goldstein's goal put Cornell up 3-2 early in the second quarter. He added another before halftime, giving the Big Red their first multi-goal lead of the day. This time, he backed down Peter Laake, but used his quick hands to fire a shot around Laake, barely giving him time to react.
With Kirst alongside him. Goldstein often took advantage of favorable matchups throughout the season and against Maryland. The Terrapins came in with the nation's best defense, allowing 7.35 goals per game, but Goldstein helped unlock them.
From above the goal, Kirst was often the one to initiate Cornell's offense. Behind the cage, that was Goldstein's job. He gave Maryland head coach John Tillman headaches. Tillman said all three of Cornell's attackers — Goldstein, Kirst and Long — deserved No. 1 defenders, while praising Goldstein postgame.
"Goldstein is terrific and I don't want him to be slighted," Tillman said. "One guy (Kirst) is the Player of the Year. The other guy (Goldstein) down the road could be. He's that good."
In the second half, Goldstein added a couple more crucial goals. Early in the fourth quarter, Maryland failed a clear, which allowed Cornell is pounce quickly in transition. Kirst found Goldstein for an easy finish past goalie Logan McNaney.
With four minutes remaining and Cornell nursing a two-goal lead, Goldstein recorded his fourth tally. He isolated himself against Laake, stutter-stepping to create a shooting window. Before the help defense came, Goldstein fired a shot by McNaney again, which all but seal the Big Red's victory.
MASSIVE goal by Goldstein. @CornellLacrosse takes a 3-goal lead with about 4:00 to go pic.twitter.com/19EyOgQ0f3
"That's just who he is," Kirst said. "Lacrosse is part of him, and that's the reason why he's so dedicated, and the reason why he's on this stage succeeding, because he's put in all the work.
"We love bouncing ideas off each other. He's a lax rat and just a special kid to play with. He's fearless. (On) the biggest stage he stepped up."
