This was only the first of Cornell’s points. Three unassisted goals to open the game led to an 8-2 score at halftime.   “It’s very important, especially early in the season, for guys to gain confidence in their abilities,” Pannell said.  “To get out in the first game and get a goal or an assist, it’s very important moving forward.”

Despite the first half success, the Red slipped in the later part of the third quarter, allowing Hobart to score five straight goals before Mike Bronzini could net another for Cornell.

“We had a couple boneheaded mistakes,” DeLuca said.  “We got caught ball watching.”

The momentum shift ended when defenseman Mike Bronzino scored an unassisted goal, making the score 12-7 in favor of the Big Red.  When Bronzino went practically uncovered in his full field trip towards the next, he attributed to the defense’s respect for Pannell and the other attackmen.  They couldn’t leave those threats open, allowing Bronzino to go for the goal.

“Our defense is now a threat in transition and people are going to have to respect that,” Pannell said.

While Cornell never gave up the lead they secured in the first two minutes, the defense supported the lead behind sophomore goaltender AJ Fiore’s 11 saves.

“When we have the ball, everyone’s an offensive player, and when we don’t have the ball, everyone’s a defensive player,” DeLuca said.

“Our team is just not one or two guys.  It’s a very team oriented offense, a very team oriented defense, and that’s Cornell lacrosse, and that’s what makes us successful,” Pannell added.

While the dominating first half and slip ups in the second were a learning experience for the Red, according to players, earning DeLuca his first win as a head coach was a huge motivator.

“The team wanted to get this win for him. We knew how important this game was to him as his first game as the coach of his alma mater, and we couldn’t be happier for him,” Pannell said.

Family, friends, and former players from across the country traveled to snow-covered Ithaca for the occasion, and despite saying how amazing the win felt, DeLuca needed time to process what the win meant to him.  He didn’t have long though, as his team traveled to Binghamton a mere three days later.

“It’s important for us to travel and be able to play well on the road,” he said of other away games that include trips to several other Ivy League schools.   DeLuca was focused on the future despite his emotional day.  He said he is looking to experienced, older players like Pannell, captain Jack Dudley and senior Max Feely to set an example.  “I expect consistency,” he said.  “I expect a very high level of effort and intensity.  They’re our leaders on the field.”

After shutting down Binghamton, 13-4, on Tuesday to improve to a 2-0 record, the team will travel to West Point, NY for a weekend matchup at Army.