CJ Kirst '25 Secures MVP and Championship in Second PLL Season

CJ Kirst ’25 recently completed one of the greatest seasons in Professional Lacrosse League history, winning the PLL MVP and championship in the same season at only 24 years old in late September.

In his time at Cornell, Kirst not only set the record for most goals scored in Division 1 lacrosse history, but also broke the record for most goals scored in a single season at the professional level.

CJ Kirst '25 celebrates against Penn State. (Timmy Xi/Sun File Photo)

Kirst’s time at Cornell was nothing short of a storybook as he led the Red to the school's first national championship in 48 years. Cornell entered the championship game as favorites over No. 2 Maryland, largely due to Kirst's commanding presence on attack. Kirst ultimately scored six goals as the Red took down the Terps, simultaneously tying the NCAA single-season record with 82 goals.

Kirst ended his senior season with the Red as a national champion and a Tewaaraton Trophy winner, which is awarded to the most outstanding player in collegiate lacrosse. Kirst also took home his second Ivy Player of the Year award and his third Ivy League first-team honor.

After the Red won the national championship, the Philadelphia Waterdogs selected Kirst with the first overall pick in the 2025 PLL draft. Moreover, Kirst was also the fifth player ever to be drafted number one in both the PLL and the National Lacrosse League drafts.

CJ Kirst '25 signs a camera after the Red secured victory in the National Championship Game against Maryland. (Timmy Xi/Sun File Photo)

During his first season in the PLL, Kirst battled through an injury stemming back to his time seeking a national championship with the Red. Shortly after winning the NCAA title, Kirst had surgery on his right hand. The surgery sidelined him for months, and he was unable to play the majority of his rookie season.

Kirst only ended up playing in four games during his entire rookie season for the Waterdogs. However, in those four games, Kirst scored nine goals, showcasing his potential at the professional level.

In Kirst’s second season, he hit the ground running, scoring nine goals through the first two games of the season. Kirst continued on his hot streak as he averaged 3.4 goals per game for the rest of the season on his way to securing the MVP honors.

CJ Kirst '25 winding up to shoot against Syracuse. (Timmy Xi/Sun File Photo)

During the playoffs, Kirst showed no signs of slowing down, scoring three goals in the semifinal and capping off his historic season with five goals in the PLL championship. Kirst officially completed lacrosse at every level by winning both a national championship and a PLL championship.

Kirst’s legacy as an all-time great Cornellian athlete was never in doubt, but his status as one of the greatest lacrosse players of all time is reaffirmed following this historic PLL season.