ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Cornell men's polo team jumped ahead early and never trailed after the opening minutes in picking up a 23-19 victory over Connecticut on Sunday afternoon in Storrs, Conn.

The Big Red started captain Nick Stieg, Hakan Karabey, and Ignacio Masias. Cornell opened the first chukker up with the first goal of the season. After trading a couple of goals Cornell took the lead at 3-2 and never trailed after that. At the end of one it was Cornell ahead. 6-4. The team quickly increased that lead in the second and held a 14-7 lead at the half. Alex Langlois and Kamran Pirasteh replaced Karabey and Masias in the third. The Huskies quickly opened the third with three goals, dropping the lead to 14-10. Cornell gathered itself and extended the lead back to 17-10 and ended the chukker ahead 18-14. Langlois remained for the fourth rejoined by Karabey and Masias. The Big Red re-established the lead to seven at 22-15. From there they cruised in for the 23-19 win to open the season. Masias led the team with nine goals, Stieg followed with five, Langlois and Karabey each had four with one penalty goal.