CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- The Cornell men's polo team earned a statement win with a 10-9 victory over Virginia in the host school's Fall Invitational championship game on Saturday afternoon at the Virginia Polo Center. The Big Red improved to 3-0 on the young season. 

"It was an incredible game and last-minute win for our guys this afternoon against UVa, said Anthony Condo Jr., the Peter B. Orthwein '68 Head Coach of Polo. "Things really clicked in the arena for them from the get-go, and it was a thing of beauty to see, because we know this team has amazing potential. I'm really proud of the team effort - we'll build on this moving forward as we eye an appearance in the Division I National Championships in March."

After ending the first chukker tied 2-2 and then reaching 3-3 early in the second, Cornell closed the half on a three-goal run to grab a 6-3 edge at halftime. Virginia stormed back in the third after the Big Red briefly took a 7-3 lead, scoring six straight to enter the fourth with a 9-8 edge. Cornell held the home squad scoreless in the final 7:30, and Benito Jaramillo-Samper delivered late in the contest with a two-pointer that proved to be the game winner.

Jaramillo-Samper scored six goals while playing against his brother, Samuel, who saw action for the Cavaliers. Malachi Light posted three goals and Max Sponer scored once for Cornell.

Cornell returns home to face the St. Croix Polo Club in a Halloween evening battle on Friday, Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. at Oxley Equestrian Center.