No. 10 Harvard men's lacrosse will face off against No. 6 Cornell in a pivotal matchup for both Ivy League standings and NCAA Tournament positioning. This game on April 25 marks the end of the regular season, with Harvard entering at 9-3 and Cornell also at 9-3, but boasting a stronger Ivy record of 4-1. The Crimson, looking to bounce back from a recent loss to Princeton, aims to secure momentum heading into the Ivy League Tournament. This historic rivalry stretches back to 1895, with Harvard hoping to replicate their successful 2023 season when they last defeated Cornell.

By the Numbers
  • 33 goals for Teddy Malone, ranking third in the Ivy League.
  • 13.42 goals per game from Harvard, 11th-best nationally.
  • 184 turnovers forced by Harvard's defense this season.
  • 4 NCAA RPI rank for Cornell, currently at 9-3.
  • 62 total points for Cornell's Willem Firth, leading the Ivy League.
State of Play
  • Harvard has secured a spot in the Ivy League Tournament for back-to-back years.
  • Both teams are in the running for top-four seeding in the Ivy Tournament.
  • Harvard has developed a reputation for scoring droughts, having had several stretches of 15 minutes or more where opponents could not score.
What's Next

Depending on the outcome of Saturday's game, Harvard's seeding for the Ivy League Tournament will be determined, likely facing either Cornell or Yale. The tournament, commencing May 1, will showcase the top four Ivy teams, with implications for NCAA bids.

Bottom Line

This game not only serves as a final test for both teams before the postseason but also highlights the importance of maintaining momentum in a competitive league. Harvard's chance to advance further than previous tournaments hinges on a solid performance against Cornell.