When the final whistle blew at Berman Field on Thursday, November 20, 2025, the dream was over — not with a bang, but with silence. Cornell University dismantled Lafayette College 4-0 in the First Round of the 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Tournament, shutting out the Patriot League champions in front of a stunned home crowd. For the Leopards, it was the end of a season that had defied expectations. For Cornell, it was a statement: they weren’t just hosting; they were ready to go deep.
A Season That Refused to Quit
Lafayette’s 2025 campaign was never supposed to end this way. With an 8-7-7 record entering the postseason, they were the underdogs in every sense — no top-25 ranking, no national headlines. But then came the Patriot League Tournament. On November 8, they beat #3-seeded Army 1-0 in West Point. Two days later, they stunned #1-seeded American University 1-0 in Washington, D.C. And on November 15, in a rain-slicked battle at Ulrich Sports Complex in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, they drew 1-1 with Lehigh before winning 4-1 on penalties. That was their first league title since 2012. For a school that hadn’t won it in 13 years, it felt like a miracle.“We knew we weren’t supposed to be here,” said senior midfielder Diego Mendoza in the postgame interview, his voice thick with emotion. “But we believed. Every tackle, every corner, every minute — we believed.”
The Cornell Machine
Cornell didn’t just win — they controlled. From the first whistle, the Big Red pressed high, disrupted Lafayette’s rhythm, and punished every mistake. Cornell University’s forward Lucas Kwon opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a curling left-footed shot from the edge of the box. By halftime, it was 2-0, thanks to a header off a corner by defender Jonas Varga. The third goal came in the 58th minute — a counterattack finished by sophomore Malik Carter — and the fourth, a penalty in the 82nd, sealed it. Goalkeeper Andrew Tran made three saves and recorded his fourth shutout of the season.“We knew they were dangerous on set pieces,” said Cornell head coach Emily Ruiz. “But we also knew they’d come in hungry. We had to match that energy — and then exceed it.”
What Made Lafayette Special
Lafayette’s run wasn’t luck. It was discipline. They tied six games during the regular season — more than any other team in the Patriot League — and won three 1-0 games in the postseason. Their defense allowed just 0.8 goals per game over the final seven matches. Captain James O’Connor, a senior center-back who missed four games with a hamstring injury, returned for the championship game and played 120 minutes.They beat American on the road. They beat Lehigh in their own stadium. They beat the odds. But against Cornell — a program that had reached the NCAA Second Round in five of the last seven years — they met a different kind of intensity.
The Ripple Effect
The loss ends a historic chapter for Lafayette. Their 2025 season will be remembered as the year they rose from mediocrity to champions. But the implications stretch beyond Easton. The Patriot League, often overshadowed by the ACC or Big Ten, proved it can produce a team capable of competing on the national stage. Lafayette’s run drew scouts from MLS academies and Division II programs. At least three players — Mendoza, O’Connor, and freshman goalkeeper Ryan Tran — have already received interest from professional development clubs.Meanwhile, Cornell advances to face the winner of the Princeton-Duke tie on November 23. The Big Red haven’t reached the College Cup since 2018. This time, they’re not just hoping — they’re planning.
What’s Next?
For Lafayette, the focus shifts to rebuilding. Coach Mark Hargrove, in his seventh season, has already begun recruiting two midfielders and a striker for next year’s class. The 2025 team lost only three seniors — a promising sign. And with a championship banner now hanging in Gummeson Grounds, the program has new credibility.For Cornell, the road gets harder. The NCAA Tournament is a minefield of upsets. But with a defense that’s conceded just six goals in 16 games, and a front line that’s scored 31, they’re built for this.
Behind the Numbers
- Lafayette’s 8-7-7 record was the most ties in the Patriot League this season - Cornell has won 11 of their last 13 home games in NCAA Tournament play - The 4-0 scoreline was Cornell’s largest margin of victory in NCAA Tournament history - Lafayette’s 1-0 wins over Army, American, and Lehigh marked the first time a Patriot League team won three straight 1-0 games in a single postseason - Only two teams in the 2025 NCAA field had more draws than Lafayette: Oregon State (8) and Duke (9)Frequently Asked Questions
How did Lafayette qualify for the NCAA Tournament despite their .500 record?
Lafayette earned an automatic bid by winning the 2025 Patriot League Men’s Soccer Championship — the league’s sole automatic qualifier. Even with an 8-7-7 overall record, their postseason dominance, including three 1-0 wins in the tournament, secured their spot. Only conference champions get automatic bids; the rest are selected at-large by the NCAA committee.
Why was Cornell chosen as the host for the First Round?
Cornell was selected as a host because they had the highest RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) among teams in their region with a winning record. The NCAA awards hosting rights to the higher-seeded team in each First Round matchup. Cornell finished the regular season ranked 42nd nationally in RPI, while Lafayette was unranked. Berman Field also met NCAA standards for lighting, seating, and media facilities.
What does this mean for the Patriot League’s future in NCAA soccer?
Lafayette’s run proves the Patriot League can produce tournament-caliber teams, even without big budgets. Their ability to win tight, physical games against higher-ranked opponents could attract more recruiting attention and increased funding. Other league teams like American and Lehigh are already investing in youth academies and analytics departments, hoping to replicate Lafayette’s success.
How rare is it for a team to win a conference title and then get shut out in the NCAA opener?
It’s uncommon but not unheard of. Since 2010, five Patriot League champions have lost their NCAA opener — three by shutout. Lafayette joins the 2012 Lehigh team, which won the title and lost 3-0 to Virginia. What’s unusual is how dominant Cornell was: 4-0 is the largest margin of defeat for a conference champion in the first round since 2017.
Did any Lafayette players get drafted or sign professional contracts after this season?
No formal signings or drafts yet, but three players — senior midfielder Diego Mendoza, captain James O’Connor, and freshman goalkeeper Ryan Tran — have received trial invitations from USL Championship clubs, including Bethlehem Steel and New York Red Bulls II. MLS Next Pro scouts were in attendance at Berman Field, and follow-up evaluations are scheduled for December.
What’s Cornell’s path to the College Cup now?
Cornell will face either Princeton or Duke on November 23 or 24. If they win, they’ll advance to the Third Round, where they could meet top-seeded teams like North Carolina or Indiana. To reach the College Cup, they’d need to win three more games — a tall order, but their defense has shown they can handle pressure. Their last College Cup appearance was in 2018, when they lost in the semifinals to Stanford.
