COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- The Cornell men's polo team readied for this week's national championships with a 10-7 win at Texas A&M on Saturday evening. The victory improved the Big Red's record to 10-7.

A bigger ring, strange horses and a quality opponent put the Cornell men at a disadvantage, but the Big Red rose to the challenge. Connor Pardell, Branden Van Loon and Nik Feldman started what was a back-and-forth first that ended in a 4-4 tie. Nick Stieg subbed for Pardell in the second as the two teams traded goals early in the second before the visitors tallied twice to take a 7-5 lead after two. The third saw Pardell return for Stieg and the Big Red opened up with two quick goals to extend the lead to 9-5. The teams traded goals to make it 10-6 before the Aggies tallied once more to end the chukker at 10-7. The game would not continue after a couple of horses came up with slight injuries that would keep them from playing. 

Cornell will open the national championship tournament at home when it meets Southern Methodist on Wednesday, April 18 at 2 p.m.