Lax Attacks Upstate NY for finals

In the mens' lacrosse championship game, fourth seeded Cornell will face second seeded Syracuse, providing for an interesting college lax game Monday night.
Cornell easily managed to walk right around number one Virginia's defense in Saturday's match (which was obviously won, 15-6). Yesterday's game was barely into the first period when Big Red began to realize that the Cavs defense wasn't covering their stars, Rob Panell, Ryan Hurley and Chris Finn, who each contributed three goals. Panell had three assists ,as did Hurley.

Syracuse spanked(!) Duke in their semifinal, 17-7. Orange's offense included stand-outs Kenny Nims and Patrick Peritt, along with eleven others who managed to score in the upset. The Blue Devils' lax fans must be pretty depressed, considering that Duke's women's lax team also lost in overtime to Penn State, 10-9. Nittany Lions also lost in semifinals. Women's lax championship game will be played between Northwestern and North Carolina.

Cornell should win, by at least 3 goals, despite the fact this is their first finals appearance since 1988. The way Panell dances around opposition is absolutely incredible, and exciting. If there had been more sports fans watching Cornell/UVA Saturday afternoon (it was televised), NCAA men's lax would have many new fans. The excitement of these high-scoring upsets is entertaining, and you're in awe watching how the boys jump up to catch a small, hard ball in such tiny and shiny sticks.

Cornell versus Syracuse will be played Monday night.