All Upstate New York Final

The Big Red’s victory was one of the most stunning Final Four results, in score and tenor. Cornell took leads of 3-0 and 6-1 and was never seriously threatened. It advanced to the N.C.A.A. title game Monday, when it will face the defending champion, Syracuse. The Orange crushed Duke, 17-7, in Saturday’s first semifinal.

Showing how slow and steady can win the race, Cornell’s defense smothered Virginia and secured the Big Red its first appearance in the national title game since 1988 (when it lost to Syracuse). The Orange will be going for back-to-back national titles; while Cornell will be looking for its first since 1977.

The two teams from upstate New York solidified the region’s reputation as the sport’s stronghold. With Le Moyne in the Division II final, facing C.W. Post; with Cortland in the Division III final, against Gettysburg; and with Onondaga Community College having already won the junior college title, the land of Genesee beer, Wegmans supermarkets and the Finger Lakes could also have all four men’s major lacrosse national titles.

via NYtimes.com