ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Cornell women's polo team claimed its first-ever USPA D2 Polo Championship after topping the University of New Hampshire 14-10 on Sunday afternoon at the Oxley Equestrian Center. The Big Red closed its season at 15-5 overall in the third year under head coach Anthony Condo Jr.

Ava Ramachandran and Lara Chong scored five goals apiece and Naomi Marlough tallied four times to lead a balanced Big Red offensive attack. Cornell trailed 3-1 and 6-3 early, but stayed connected and knotted the score at 6-6 entering halftime behind consecutive goals by Marlough. The teams traded scores to begin the second half, but a 5-1 run spanning the third and fourth chukkers put the home team in the lead for good.

All-Star awards were given to Cornell's  Chong and Marlough, while Ramachandran won the women's Sportsmanship award.

"I'm so incredibly happy for our women's squad for capturing the National Championship this year," Condo said, "After last year's stinging, last-second semifinal loss in California, I know our returning players felt a burning desire for redemption this time around. To beat such a talented UNH squad three times in one season is incredibly difficult, but our team was up for that challenge, and they responded in earnest when it mattered the most."