ITHACA, N.Y. --  The Cornell women's polo team held top-ranked Virginia at bay for a half, but the Cavaliers pulled away after the break and earned a 17-13 victory over the Big Red for the USPA national title on Sunday afternoon at Oxley Equestrian Center. The Big Red's season ended with a 13-6 record and a Northeast Regional title.

In a rematch of last year's national title game, won by the Big Red, the Cavaliers this time were determined to bring home the trophy. Cornell opened with a starting lineup of  Amanda Stern, Ali Hoffman and Kailey Eldredge. UVa jumped to an early 2-0 lead, only to see the Big Red tie it at 2-2. Each team would add another goal and the Cavaliers knew they had a game on their hands when the first ended in a 3-3 score. The second chukker saw the Cavaliers jump out to a 6-3 edge, but Cornell clawed back to again tie it, this time at 6-6. Virginia was able to get on the board once more before the half to take a 7-6 lead. The third chukker would prove critical as Virginia was able to take advantage of its scoring opportunities and edge the lead out with a three-goal burst mid chukker that put them up 11-7. Cornell would not give up and rallied to equalize Virginia the rest of the chukker, but headed into the fourth down 13-9. The Cavaliers scored quickly in the fourth to open up a six-goal lead. The Big Red rallied to get back within 16-13 in the final minute, but Virginia scored an insurance goal right before the horn for the final margin.

Kailey Eldredge tallied 10 goals to lead both teams in goals scored. Stern had two and Hoffman chipped in one. Eldredge's performance in the tournament garnered her second place in the National All-Star voting. Other awards at the tournament were “Best Playing Pony” on the women's side, which Cornell's “Dimple” took home. There was also a “Best Playing String” award that the Cornell men's string took home. That string was “DaVinci, Gemini, Naranja, Dru, Michi, Gator, and Esperanza ( who was an honorable mention for the “Best Pony” award on the men's side.