The road ends at Rentschler Field. Four teams enter, but only one will leave with the newly minted title of 2022 national champion.

This is the first time in nearly a decade that Cornell University has made it to this point, and they’re looking to make this lacrosse championship weekend one to remember.

On March 8, 2020, Cornell moved to 5-0 after a thrilling win over PSU. Little did they know they wouldn’t play another game for two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“They’re as resilient as it gets," Cornell coach Connor Buczek said. "This group never waivers, and it’s because of the commitment of the upperclassmen and those leaders that are truly paving the way for us."

The upperclassmen, guys like fifth-yearer attack John Piatelli, helped grow the Cornell lacrosse culture, even over a computer screen.

“Last spring, we had guys all over the map. We had some guys in Texas. I was in Delaware. We had some guys on campus just trying to stay connected and trying to stay working towards 2022, and just trying to say, 'hey, there’s going to be lacrosse at some point, and we’re going to be ready to go when it comes,'” Piatelli said.

“Last spring, they really kept us together. We were doing Zooms every week. It was awesome staying connected," Cornell sophomore CJ Kirst said.

Building those connections paid off. The Big Red are back on the big stage for the first time since 2013.

“Personally, it means everything. I’ve always wanted to come here and play. In 2013, I went with my family, painted my face red for the Big Red," Cornell junior attacker Spencer Wirtheim said.

“To make it to the Final Four, it was a childhood dream. So, it feels really great to accomplish that," Piatelli said.

The team standing in the way of a Memorial Day date with either Princeton or Maryland is Rutgers.

“Rutgers and Cornell are both red, so I’m sure she’ll have some shirt," Kirst said.

Kirst was talking about his mom, Michelle, who is going to probably be on the edge of her seat the entire game.

“When we give each other a big hug before the game, it’s going to finally set in. We’re excited to go at each other," Kirst said.

Kirst is the second leading scorer for Cornell, and he’ll go up against one of the best goalies in the country, his brother, Colin.

“We always went against each other. He always hopped in net. All I remember is we were always in a fight, in a competition. Whoever won that day, got the bragging rights that day," Kirst said.

There is a lot more on the line Saturday, but simply sharing the field at this stage in the game is pretty special.

“I just know Colin is going to be smiling on the other end, even though we’re battling against each other. We’re just going to try to soak it all in. This is a dream come true for both of us, being able to play at this stage, and I can’t wait to get out there," Kirst said.