Tom Rock

1 week ago | newsday.com | Tom Rock

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – After CJ Kirst, the all-time leading goal scorer in NCAA history, was held without a goal for Cornell in the semifinal round of the Division I men’s lacrosse tournament this weekend, he was asked how he felt about it. “I feel great!” he exclaimed. Imagine his exhilaration, then, after scoring six in Monday’s 13-10 championship game win over Maryland at Gillette Stadium, all in the last 31:49 of the game, to give the Big Red their first title in 48 years.

1 week ago | newsday.com | Tom Rock

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — It wasn’t just an undefeated season that ended with a resounding victory for Tufts in Sunday’s NCAA Division III men’s lacrosse championship at Gillette Stadium. It was also the end of an era. The Conner Garzone Era. The fifth-year graduate student out of Chaminade has started every game in goal the last four years for the Jumbos, led them to back-to-back titles and became the mainstay of a program that has seen consistent success during his tenure.

1 week ago | newsday.com | Tom Rock

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The Adelphi coaches love just about everything about Kyle Lewis. His passion for the game is unmatched on the men’s lacrosse team and he often spends hours talking X’s and O’s and breaking down tape with the staff after practices. There is one thing that has bugged them this season, though. They felt Lewis was too unselfish, that he would often look to make the extra but unnecessary pass rather than score on his own.

1 week ago | newsday.com | Tom Rock

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The last time Cornell won a national championship in men’s lacrosse was 16 years before its current coach, Connor Buczek, was born. Even the 31-year-old knows that for the program to continue considering itself a relevant power and not just a historic one in a sport it helped popularize last century, that drought since 1977 needs to end. “Our fan base is so loyal and cares so much about this program,” Buczek said.

1 week ago | newsday.com | Tom Rock

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Olivia Vergano said she “kind of” remembered her first day as a Tar Heel. It was late last summer when she showed up on campus as a transfer for her senior year and stepped on the practice field with her new team. She did recall being nervous walking into a new environment after three seasons at Virginia Tech. Her last day? It started with similar jitters, she said, but it ended up being a little more cherished.