Spiders Season Comes to an End in NCAA Quarterfinals

Saturday, May 17

Hempstead, N.Y.

Noon

University of Richmond

14-4

Cornell

16-1

Richmond

Cornell

05/17/2025 | Men's Lacrosse

Box Score

Hempstead, N.Y.— The University of Richmond men's lacrosse team's historic 2025 season came to an end Saturday in the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals, falling to No. 1 Cornell, 13-12.

Senior captain Max Merklinger paced the Spiders with three goals and an assist, Joe Sheridan followed with two goals, while Aidan O'Neil, Lukas Olsson, Charlie Packard, Gavin Creo, Daniel Picart (1 assist), Henry Alpaugh and Leo Caine each tallied goals.

The game featured seven ties (1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 10-10, 11-11 and 12-12) as both teams went back and forth all afternoon. Cornell however, dominated the ground ball game at 51-27 and used the possession advantage to fire off 50 shots to Richmond's 31. Cornell also forced the Spiders into an uncharacteristic 20-of-27 on clears.

Richmond's defense held the nation's top scorer, Cornell's CJ Kirst, to just two goals and two assists on 13 shots—with two goals matching the Tewaaraton favorite's season-low.

Backed by graduate goalie Zach Vigue, who matched a season-high with 14 saves, the Spider defense hung tough, causing seven of the Big Red's 13 turnovers, with Ryan Thompson and Tommy Stull recording two each.