STORRS, Conn. -- By identical scores of 23-11, the Cornell men's and women's polo teams secured Northeast Regional titles and the automatic bids to the USPA National Championships on Sunday afternoon at the University of Connecticut. The women topped the host Huskies, while the men knocked off Skidmore.
The women claimed their 21st regional crown and their sixth consecutive, while the men have now won 20 regional titles and 12 in the last 14 years.
The men entered the weekend as the region's top-ranked team and took care of business. Skidmore was scrappy early, but Cornell led 4-2 after one. The Big Red jumped out to five-goal lead in the second, but saw the Thoroughbreds hang in there to only be behind 10-6 at the half. Cornell opened things up in the third by outscoring the Thoroughbreds 7-1 for the chukker to open up a 17-7 lead heading into the fourth. Cornell cruised home in the fourth with the 23-11 win, taking the regional title and the automatic bid to nationals. Senior Nik Feldman led all riders with 12 goals. Nick Stieg added eight, Ignacio Masias tallied one and there were two penalty goals. Feldman garnered top all-star honors with Masias taking home the second place of four all-stars. Cornell's horses were voted the Best String and Pipo took home Best Pony honors.
The ladies followed up by taking on the top-ranked team in the region, UConn. Cornell, No. 2 in the region, came out strong in the first and set the tone for the day by outscoring the Huskies on their own horses 9-2 by the end of one. The Big Red gave up three quick goals to UConn which pulled the Huskies to within 9-5. That would be as close as they would get, as the visitors scored the next six to go into the half up 15-5. Cornell continued its run by scoring the first four of the third to pull out to a 14-goal lead. The Big Red would maintain that lead at 20-6 heading into the fourth. Cornell would cruise in to take the win, giving the team an automatic bid to nationals. Senior Kailey Eldredge led the Big Red with nine goals, while Anna Winslow added six, Devin Cox scored four with the ponies adding two, as well as two penalty goals. Eldredge took top all-star honors with Winslow taking second place and Cox grabbing the fourth and final spot for Cornell to take three of the four All Star spots. Cornell also took the Best String Award on the women's side of the tournament as well.
