The Long Red Line: Cornell Lacrosse and the Forty-Eight-Year Quest for Glory

Cornell lacrosse entered 2025 with one objective: End a forty-eight-year championship drought.What followed was a season of grit, heartbreak, and redemption - a relentless march through adversity that tested every ounce of resolve. In The Long Red Line, Christian Swezey details everything from the sting of an early-season overtime loss to Penn State to the razor-thin margins of Ivy League battles.In this dramatic season, the Big Red faced injuries, doubts, and the weight of history.Captain CJ Kirst, chasing records and playing through a broken hand, embodied the team's mantra: "Well done is better than well said." Alongside him were warriors like Hugh Kelleher, Mikey Long, and Chris Davis - whose comeback after two back surgeries became a defining moment of courage.Behind the scenes, coaches Connor Buczek and Jordan Stevens forged a culture of accountability and brotherhood. Through snow-swept practices, grueling conditioning, and unforgettable senior speeches, Cornell clawed its way b