CJ Kirst Named USA Lacrosse D-I Men's Preseason Player of the Year

Cornell attackman CJ Kirst was named the USA Lacrosse Division I Men’s Preseason Player of the Year on Friday, USA Lacrosse Magazine announced.

A Tewaaraton Award finalist in 2023, Kirst produced 45 goals and 22 assists in 2024 while shooting a career-best 63 percent on goal. 

He burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2022 that helped Cornell reach the NCAA championship game, and he has since become a fan favorite in the college game.

With Cornell’s career goals record within reach, 2025 is shaping up to be a big year for Kirst.

Preseason Attackman of the Year

CJ Kirst, Cornell

It was obvious even as he helped the Big Red reach the national title game in 2022 that Kirst would be one of the most charismatic attackmen in the game for the rest of his career. He’s just 26 goals off Mike French’s school record for career goals, one of many achievements he’s likely to add to his resume as a senior in Ithaca.

Preseason Midfielder of the Year

Mikey Weisshaar, Towson

There were many reasons the Tigers re-emerged as a postseason team last season, but Weisshaar was as important as any of them. He had a team-high 42 goals to go with 19 assists, and the junior should again be the major cog for a Towson team capable of winning a game (or more) in the NCAA tournament.

Preseason Defenseman of the Year

Brendan Lavelle, Penn

Lavelle justly earned rave reviews for his work on Duke’s Brennan O’Neill in an early-season upset of the Blue Devils, but he was one of the most reliable defensemen in the country all season --- no easy feat given some of the offenses populating the Ivy League. He should again be one of the country’s most valuable players as a senior.

Preseason Specialist of the Year

Will Lynch, Notre Dame

It turns out Lynch’s 2023 postseason effort presaged a full-scale breakout last spring. He won 61.2 percent of his faceoffs as a junior, giving the Fighting Irish a major advantage in their successful national title defense. He’ll also be an asset for a team that has some obvious holes to fill, namely a Tewaaraton-winning attackman (Pat Kavanagh) and an All-America goalie (Liam Entenmann).

Preseason Goalie of the Year

Emmet Carroll, Penn

Last year’s national leader in save percentage at .594), Carroll is back for one last run in Philadelphia. He saw a lot of shots last season, and his ability to hold up to that bodes well for the Quakers as they look to get back to the NCAA tournament after a two-year absence.