Cornell lacrosse on verge of ending massive national championship drought

Cornell is one step from the top of a mountain it hasn't climbed in nearly 50 years.

The Big Red are going to the men's lacrosse national championship game. A potent 5-0 run on Saturday afternoon against Penn State helped their way to an 11-9 victory.

And now, Cornell will return on Memorial Day afternoon to play for the natty.

The Ivy League powerhouse has a storied lacrosse history, but it's been a long time since they hoisted the trophy.

Cornell's three lacrosse national titles in the NCAA era came in 1971, 1976 and 1977. They also claim five national titles from pre-1920, before the NCAA.

Most remarkably, the Big Red pulled off Saturday's win without a single point from C.J. Kirst. He has more goals than anyone in D-I men's lacrosse history, and the Big Red didn't even need him to get past Penn State.

Cornell has played in four national title games since their last championship without winning. Most recently, they fell 9-7 to Maryland in the 2022 final.

The Big Red await the winner of Maryland and Syracuse in Saturday's second semifinal.

But whoever is on the other side, Cornell won't care much. The Big Red, the best team in the country all year, are on the doorstep. They're one win away from being back on top of college lacrosse.

MORE: Penn State star scores two insane behind-the-back goals

When was Cornell's last lacrosse national title?

The Big Red have three lacrosse national titles in the NCAA era:

• 1971
• 1976
• 1977

The Big Red also claim five championships from before the NCAA era:

• 1902
• 1903
• 1907
• 1914
• 1916