Roughly one year ago, the Cornell women’s polo team tied Grossmont College in the last minutes of the final chukker in during the Division II Women’s National Intercollegiate Championship game.
Unfortunately, the Red’s four-goal comeback in the second half fell short as Grossmont secured the game-winning goal that ultimately halted Cornell’s hopes of the Division II title for another year.
“Last year we had an extremely upsetting loss that we all took pretty hard,” said senior Ava Ramachandran. “To win nationals this year was a dream come true, and it is a true testament to how hard we have worked this past year and how far we have come as a team in the last two years.”
On April 13, the team was down two points to the University of New Hampshire early on in the match — but this time were able to score the equalizer by halftime.
And this time the Red’s offense dominated in the third and fourth chukkers, going on a 5-1 scoring streak that ultimately sealed the game in Cornell’s favor and finally awarded them its long-awaited and first-ever Division II National champions title.
Ramachandran and junior Lara Chong combined for a total of 10 points and freshman Naomi Marlough scored four times.
“Lara and Naomi are two of the most talented players I have ever met,” Ramachandran said. “I am so lucky to have such incredible team chemistry with Lara, Naomi and [fifth year] Isabelle [Braden].”
This season meant a lot to Ramachandran — not only because it was her final collegiate season, but also because she came off a wrist injury earlier on in the season.
“I remember at the end of the game, when the horn finally rang and we realize[d] we just won nationals, Lara looked at me and [said] ‘we did it,’” Ramachandran said. “There was this sense of relief and pure excitement, but also sadness because that was the end of my polo career.”
This was not the first time Cornell faced the University of New Hampshire. In fact, this was the team’s third time beating the Wildcats this season. In the two earlier matchups of the season, the Red narrowly escaped New Hampshire, winning both matches by just one goal.
To even have the chance to face the University of New Hampshire on Sunday, the Red had to get past the University of Kentucky on Wednesday. In this match, the Red were up by two points at halftime and took a decisive lead during the third chukker, ultimately beating the Wildcats, 15-9.
Cornell also had history with Kentucky — beating them twice earlier this season.
Overall, Cornell finished its National Champs season with a record of 15-5, including a five game win streak to cap off this win.
Ramachandran was awarded the Women’s Sportsmanship Award, while Chong and Marlough were dubbed National All-Stars.
Next year, the Red are ready to tackle the season head on with goals of winning “regionals and nationals” to keep its reigning champs title.
“I know this team is going to continue to get better and better,” Ramachandran said. “[I want to credit] our amazing coaching staff, our work crew, team members who cheered us on and most importantly our horses who we owe the world to and wouldn’t have made this season possible without.”
Zeinab Faraj is the assistant sports editor on the 143rd editorial board and a member of the class of 2028 in the College of Arts and Sciences. You can reach her at zfaraj@cornellsun.com.
