Penn State and Cornell played a tough defensive matchup yesterday in the semifinals of the NCAA Division 1 men’s lacrosse tournament. Both the Big Red and the Nittany Lions employed tight man-to-man coverages in their defensive zones. Penn State’s and Cornell’s offenses struggled to find a crack in the wall with each other’s defense, forcing them to make the tough shot. Michael Young finds Willem Firth down low for a goal. Cornell, finally getting an edge, is looking to keep building its momentum in the second quarter.
Penn State answers back with Liam Matthews in spacing, makes a nice behind-the-back goal, and then followed up by Wil Penden. Jack Cascadden scores off the rush for Cornell. Now we have back-and-forth action between both teams. Matthews sets the screen for Luke Walstrum, then Walstrum makes a pass back to Matthews. Liam Matthews beats the one-on-one defender and scores another goal in this quarter. Kyle Lehman is scoring in an open area of the field. Cornell would score back-to-back goals. Matt Traynor makes a diving goal down low, putting the Nittany Lions up 5-4 in the first half of this game.
Big Red rallies in second half to advance over Penn State
The Big Red start the third quarter with a transition goal by Brendan Staub to even up the scoreboard. Liam Matthews with the hot stick today, recording a hat-trick, getting into the open areas, and finding the open net. Hugh Kelleher of Cornell unloads a laser from a distance. Ryan Waldman of Cornell is scoring between two defenders. Ryan Goldstein of Cornell scores down low. Cornell is pouring on their offense, getting into the rhythm of great ball movement and scoring goals. The Big Red score 5 unanswered goals to close out the third quarter with a 10-6 lead.
Ethan Long gets things going for Penn State in the fourth with a goal. Liam Matthews again with another behind-the-back goal in spacing, Penn State now on a run with a goal from number 22. Hugh Kelleher records a hat trick for Cornell, keeping Penn State at arm’s length. Credit to Big Red’s defense for breaking up and taking away offensive plays from the Nittany Lions. Cornell beats Penn State 11-9 to advance to the final Monday, where they face Maryland in a rematch of the 2022 Finals, won by the Terrapins.
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