Rutgers will have a strong presence in the Pan-American Lacrosse Men’s Championship, with two Scarlet Knights set to handle the crease for different national teams in Kingston, Jamaica.
Former Rutgers starter Colin Kirst will suit up for the United States, while current Scarlet Knights assistant coach Drake Porter will represent Canada. The tournament runs from August 16 through the gold medal game on August 23, with games being played on the campus of Mico University College and Stadium East.
The event brings together nine national teams from the Pan-American region and carries added weight beyond the week itself. It will help determine which teams from the region qualify for the 2027 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship in Japan.
The United States is placed in Pool A and opens pool play on Tuesday against Puerto Rico at 3:30 p.m. USA then faces Jamaica on Wednesday at 6 p.m. before closing pool play Friday against Colombia at 3:30 p.m.
Canada sits in Pool B and begins Monday with Mexico at 2 p.m. The Canadians play Haudenosaunee on Tuesday at 6 p.m., the U.S. Virgin Islands on Thursday at 1 p.m. and finish Friday against Argentina at 1 p.m.
Kirst’s Rutgers résumé is loaded. Over two seasons as the starter, he posted a 55.1% save percentage and a 10.95 goals-against-average, made 336 saves and finished 24-8. He helped lead Rutgers to the NCAA Tournament in both seasons, going 3-2 in NCAA games while backing the Scarlet Knights to the 2022 Final Four and the 2021 Elite Eight.
A Bernardsville, N.J. native, Kirst was a two-time All-American, a two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection and the Big Ten Specialist of the Year in 2021. He now plays professionally with the Boston Cannons in the PLL.
Porter arrived on Rutgers’ coaching staff ahead of the 2025 season and has spent two seasons working with the team’s specialists, including goalkeepers and faceoff specialists. He has played a major role in mentoring Rutgers goalkeeper Cardin Stoller, who is an All-American and two-time All-Big Ten selection.
As a player, Porter built an accomplished career at Syracuse. The Ontario native was a Tewaaraton Award Watch List selection in 2021, a Second Team All-American and Scholar All-American in 2020, and an All-ACC selection in 2019. He also twice led the ACC in save percentage.
Porter’s professional and international background is just as deep. He played for the New York Atlas, was part of Team Canada’s U-19 Silver Medal Squad and World Games Gold Medal Team in 2022, and also participated in Fall Classic Scrimmages from 2019 to 2023.
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