Cornell lacrosse player dies

Cornell senior defenseman George Boiardi died after being struck in the chest with a lacrosse ball in a game against Binghamp-ton on Wednesday.

With the Big Red leading 9-6 and two minutes, 33 seconds left in the game, the Bearcat's Nate Kerstein fired a shot on goal. After the ball struck Boiardi just above his heart he collapsed on the field. Players on the field knelt as trainers from both teams and emergency workers attempted to revive the fallen player. CPR was attempted for 10 minutes, after which Boiardi was transferred to Cayuga Medical Center. He was pronounced dead at 6:44 p.m.

Play was never resumed, and the game ended with the Big Red on top.

Boiardi was a four-year starter on the Cornell lacrosse team and was named team rookie of the year after his freshman season. Before this year he was named one of the team's four senior captains.

Boiardi was widely regarded as the fastest player on the team. The history major in the Cornell College of Arts and Sciences was an 11-time letter winner in high school for football, hockey and lacrosse.

"Cornell's athletics community is devastated by this tragic loss," J. Andrew Noel, director of athletics and physical education, said. "[Boiardi] was a terrific person, a great team leader, an excellent student and, in fact, he was one of the finest students at the University."

The cause of death was not announced.

Boiardi is survived by his parents Mario and Deborah, an older sister and a younger sister.