ITHACA, N.Y. -- All season long, Virginia has been the class of the collegiate men's polo world. The reigning national champions took care of business, ending the season of the Cornell squad for a second straight year, this time in the national semifinals with a 28-10 victory on Saturday afternoon at Oxley Equestrian Center. Cornell closed its season with an 11-8 record.

Connor Pardell, Branden Van Loon and Nik Feldman started for the Big Red and could not keep the Cavaliers from jumping out to a quick lead that ended the first with Cornell down 8-0. Nick Stieg replaced Pardell to start the second and the Big Red broke the ice with its first goal. It would be one of Cornell's best chukkers as the Big Red would keep it close throughout, but still trailed 14-4 at the half. Digging a hole against the top team in the country makes it very tough to come back, and the Cavaliers continued to increase its lead in the third and headed into the fourth ahead 23-7. Cornell finished the game with another good chukker, but the outcome was already decided.

Feldman led the team with six goals, while Stieg had two and Van Loon and the ponies each scored once. Two of the Cavaliers graduate and the Big Red returns everybody, as both teams will again be positioned to compete among the top teams in the country.