ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Cornell men's polo team's attempt at running it back at the USPA D2 Intercollegiate championship fell just short as Kentucky earned a 17-13 triumph over the Big Red on Sunday afternoon at Oxley Equestrian Center. The Big Red closed its season with a 9-8 record.

The Big Red fell in a 12-2 hole, but couldn't dig itself all the way out despite winning the second half 11-5. Benito Jaramillo netted seven goals to pace the Big Red, with Max Sponer scoring four and pony goals accounting for the other two on the scoreboard. 

"Credit to Kentucky for bringing the heat today," said head coach Anthony Condo Jr., The Peter B. Orthwein `68 Head Coach of Polo. "We knew they would be a tough matchup for us, but I am particularly proud of the guys' response after finding ourselves down 12-2 at the half. The 11-5 run we had to close out the game bodes well for our team's future with two true freshmen in the starting lineup. This was a real learning experience for our team, and I am incredibly proud of their effort today."

Benito Jaramillo was named an all-star and repeated as the National Horsemanship award winner for the men. Best Turned Out string on the men's side went to Cornell 3, featuring Trailmix, Fuerza, Olympio, Dominga, Activist, Kitana, and Laura. Cornell's Dominga, owned by Coach Condo, won the Men's Division's Best Playing Pony.