FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Eight years and 1,850 miles later, Rocco Romero is where he longed to be.
Romero took a circuitous route that began in Denver, was routed through Baltimore and Ithaca, N.Y., and has temporarily come to a stop here. The senior midfielder will try to help the Cornell men's lacrosse team capture its first national title since 1977.
To do that, the No. 5 seed Big Red (13-3) must beat No. 2 seed and reigning national champion Syracuse (15-2) in the NCAA tournament final today.
Romero's journey required a life-changing decision to leave his home, family and friends in Denver, but he has no regrets.
"Lacrosse in Colorado wasn't really that popular at the time, but I really wanted to play lacrosse at this Division I level," he said. "Looking back on it now, I don't think I would be where I am now if I didn't make that choice."
Playing on a first midfield line that has a three-time first-team All American and two-time Tewaaraton Trophy finalist in senior Max Seibald and a two-time second-team All American in senior John Glynn, Romero is often overlooked by opposing defenses.
But he scored two goals in the Big Red's 6-4 victory over No. 4 seed Princeton in the quarterfinals and had two goals and one assist in Saturday's 15-6 upset of top-seeded Virginia in the semifinals.
Romero, 5 feet 9, 175 pounds, said he understands the rationale behind opponents' defensive game plans, which usually focuses on Seibald, Glynn or freshman attackman Rob Pannell.
"I think it's great because I usually get the short-stick defender," said Romero, who has compiled career highs in goals (16) and assists (11) this season. "I just try to create opportunities for myself and Max and John. ... Nothing personal."
While in the seventh grade, Rick Brocato, an assistant coach at Boys' Latin at the time, offered Romero a chance to play lacrosse for the Lakers.
Romero, whose father, Robert, coaches lacrosse in Denver, agreed, but after qualifying academically to enroll at Boys' Latin for his freshman year, he hesitated.
"I kind of had cold feet and asked Rick and his wife, Tracy, 'Can I wait one more year?' " Rocco Romero recalled saying. "They said, 'No problem.' Sure enough, I came out my sophomore year. It took me awhile. I got a little homesick, but they made me feel like I was their son, and I loved every moment of it."
