SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- After trailing 10-4, the Cornell women's polo team made a valiant last gasp at getting back in the championship picture, but Virginia survived late for a 10-9 victory on Wednesday afternoon at Santa Barbara Polo Club in the USPA collegiate semifinals. The Big Red, the two-time defending national champions, ended its season wit ha 10-12 record.

Hannah Noyes, Emma Eldredge and Shariah Harris got on the board first and ended the first chukker tied 2-2. In the second, Cornell fought tough horses and ended the half down 6-4. In the third, the Cavaliers came out hard and built a 10-4 lead heading into the fourth. From there, Cornell mounted a furious comeback and closed to within one with 48 seconds left. On the ensuing throw-in, the Big Red drove toward their goal and had the first shot go inches wide with the rebound shot hitting in nearly the same spot. The team's third shot was blocked by a horse and the match ended with Cornell omn the wrong end of a 10-9 decision.