1971 NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship
Encyclopedia
The 1971 NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Tournament was the first Division I NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship
tournament. Prior to this the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association
(USILA) had voted for the national champion and, subsequently, awarded the Wingate Memorial Trophy
for the NCAA title based on regular season records. Eight NCAA Division I college men's lacrosse
teams met after having played their way through a regular season, and for some, a conference tournament. The tournament culminated with the finals, held at Hofstra University in front of 5,458 fans. For this tournament as well as the 1972 tournament, the Wingate Memorial Trophy was presented to the winner.
, who posted a 13–1 record during the season, led by coach Richard M. Moran
and star players Bob Rule, John Burnap, Bob Shaw, and Alan Rimmer defeated the Maryland Terrapins 12–6. Cornell won 13 straight game en route to the title, losing only their opening game by one goal to Virginia. Canadian-born Al Rimmer scored six goals in the finals to lead Cornell. Rimmer, from Toronto, led Cornell with 43 goals and 31 assists for 74 points for the season. He ended his career as the all-time Cornell record-holder in career points with 80 goals and 82 assists for 162 points.
This was Cornell's first lacrosse title since winning the USILA championship in 1907. Cornell was 1-4-1 against Maryland, up to this point, in a series that began with Cornell's 2-1 win in 1921. The teams played a 2-2 tie in 1922, and Maryland won by 11-1 in 1929, 14-2 in 1951, 17-10 in 1963 and 13-6 in 1965. Frank Davis' four goals against Army in the semi-finals ensured Cornell's place in the national championship.
NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship
The annual NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship tournament determines the top men's field lacrosse team in the NCAA Division I, Division II, and Division III....
tournament. Prior to this the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association
United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association
The United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association is an association of institutions with varsity college lacrosse programs in all three NCAA divisions, founded in 1885.-Awards:...
(USILA) had voted for the national champion and, subsequently, awarded the Wingate Memorial Trophy
Wingate Memorial Trophy
The Wingate Memorial Trophy was the award given to the national champion in men's college lacrosse prior to the inception of an NCAA tournament format in 1971....
for the NCAA title based on regular season records. Eight NCAA Division I college men's lacrosse
College lacrosse
College lacrosse refers to lacrosse played by student athletes at colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. In both countries, men's field lacrosse and women's lacrosse are played in both the varsity and club levels...
teams met after having played their way through a regular season, and for some, a conference tournament. The tournament culminated with the finals, held at Hofstra University in front of 5,458 fans. For this tournament as well as the 1972 tournament, the Wingate Memorial Trophy was presented to the winner.
Tournament overview
The Cornell Big RedCornell Big Red
The Cornell Big Red is the informal name of the sports teams, and other competitive teams, at Cornell University. The university sponsors 36 varsity sports, as well as numerous intramural and club teams. Cornell participates in NCAA Division I as part of the Ivy League.The men's and women's hockey...
, who posted a 13–1 record during the season, led by coach Richard M. Moran
Richard M. Moran
Richard M. "Richie" Moran is a Hall of Fame lacrosse player and coach.His playing career began as an All-County midfielder at Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park, New York from 1951–1955 and helped his team to four consecutive undefeated seasons before heading to the University of Maryland where...
and star players Bob Rule, John Burnap, Bob Shaw, and Alan Rimmer defeated the Maryland Terrapins 12–6. Cornell won 13 straight game en route to the title, losing only their opening game by one goal to Virginia. Canadian-born Al Rimmer scored six goals in the finals to lead Cornell. Rimmer, from Toronto, led Cornell with 43 goals and 31 assists for 74 points for the season. He ended his career as the all-time Cornell record-holder in career points with 80 goals and 82 assists for 162 points.
This was Cornell's first lacrosse title since winning the USILA championship in 1907. Cornell was 1-4-1 against Maryland, up to this point, in a series that began with Cornell's 2-1 win in 1921. The teams played a 2-2 tie in 1922, and Maryland won by 11-1 in 1929, 14-2 in 1951, 17-10 in 1963 and 13-6 in 1965. Frank Davis' four goals against Army in the semi-finals ensured Cornell's place in the national championship.