With more than a little magic in the air, underdog controlled top-seeded Virginia from start to finish, advancing to the program's first NCAA title contest in 21 years with a 15-6 victory over the Cavaliers on Saturday afternoon at Gillette Stradium.
The Big Red’s NCAA semifinal triumph sets up a Central New York showdown for the Division I title, as Cornell will face No. 2 Syracuse, a 17-7 winner over No. 3 Duke, on Monday at 1:00 p.m. in a game that will be televised by ESPN. The Big Red improved to 13-3 overall, while Virginia’s season ended with a 15-3 record.
Cornell held the high-powered Cavalier offense to two goals in the first half while running out to an 8-2 edge and never trailed after opening the game with a 3-0 lead. The Big Red avenged an early-season loss at Virginia and will attempt to do the same against the Orange to claim the program’s fourth NCAA title on Memorial Day.
Freshman Rob Pannell was again fearless in the face of pressure, putting up his second six-point day of the season against Virginia with three goals and three assists to lead the offense. Junior Ryan Hurley broke out of a slump in a big way with three goals and an assist, while both Chris Finn (three goals) and Rocco Romero (two goals, one assist) also had three-point days. Tewaaraton Trophy candidate Max Seibald had a goal and an assist, as did David Lau, whose father scored a goal for the Big Red in the 1977 national championship game.
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