NEWS

On the second day of match play in the 2016 National Intercollegiate Championships (NIC), the four Women’s teams took to the University of Connecticut’s Horsebarn Hill Arena to determine who would be facing off in the Championship on Saturday, April 9 live on ChukkerTV. Cornell defeated Polytechnic State University, 18-10 and Texas A&M University triumphed over the University of Virginia 13-12, in an overtime shootout.

The 2015 Women’s Defending Champions, Cornell University, sealed their spot in the Championship game with a convincing 18-10 victory over California Polytechnic State University. Behind Team USPA member Anna Winslow, Cornell’s return to the Championship seemed imminent from the beginning of the first chukker.

Winslow’s solo efforts, including a field goal, a two-pointer and a penalty shot, helped provide Cornell with a comfortable 6-1 lead following the first chukker. Winslow started off the second chukker with two goals, matching the combined efforts of Cal Poly’s Trista Noland and Jillian Tietje. Cornell scored three more goals, padding their lead 11-4 heading into the half. The Big Red seemed unstoppable, adding four goals to the tally, and Cal Poly answering with one goal from Tietje. Cal Poly slowly chiseled away at Cornell’s lead in the third chukker, trailing 16-8. Both teams finished strong, each scoring two goals with a final score of 18-10.

“I’m very happy about returning to the finals,” said Coach David Eldredge. “The game that Cal Poly gave us was excellent as a semifinal match, preparing the women for the finals. Go Big Red!”

In the second Women’s semifinal matchup, Texas A&M University met toe-to-toe with the University of Virginia, the 2015 runner-up. With National All-Star (2014, 2015) and Team USPA member Julia Smith, Virginia hoped to return to the finals, while Texas A&M looked to reach their first National Finals since 2010.

Smith’s first goal for Virginia was quickly matched by Texas A&M’s Marissa Wells, the only goals all chukker. Wells started off the second chukker scoring on a penalty 2, as Lara Straussfeld added a field goal to give Texas A&M a 3-1 lead. Virginia came alive soon after, though, going on a five-goal spree, three from Smith and two from Mary Collins, to close out the half. The two teams traded goals throughout the third chukker, as Virginia held on to an 11-8 lead. Smith’s lone score in the fourth chukker was not enough to keep Virginia safe. Texas A&M mounted a comeback and ultimately tied the match, 12-all, with less than 15 seconds remaining. With a trip to the finals on the line, Texas A&M’s Kendall Plank attained the lone score in the shootout to seal the team’s victory.

“The game was entirely too close! It was an exciting, good game, where both teams played well. A cliff hanger until the end” said Texas A&M Coach, Mike McCleary.

The Women’s National Intercollegiate Championship featuring Cornell University and Texas A&M University will take place on Saturday, April 9 at 12 pm ET, livestreamed on ChukkerTV.com.

Tournament action continues today, as the Men’s semifinals will pair 2015 runner-up Texas A&M University against University of Western Ontario at 3:30 pm ET, and Cornell University against University of Virginia at 6 pm ET.