ITHACA, N.Y. — In its final tune-up before the start of Ivy League play, the Cornell women's soccer team will take on Maine at 1 p.m. Saturday at Berman Field.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Maine at Cornell
DATE: Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017
TIME: 1 p.m.
SITE: Berman Field – Ithaca, N.Y. (natural surface)
RECORDS: Cornell 1-3, Maine 2-4-1
VIDEO: Ivy League Network
LIVE STATS: CornellBigRed.com
UPDATES: @CUBigRedGameday

ABOUT THE BIG RED
Sophomore forward Kennedy Yearby scored 2 minutes, 38 seconds into overtime to lift Cornell, 2-1, over host Buffalo on Friday for its first victory of the season. It took about 13 seconds for Cornell to work the ball from a goal kick into the Bulls' goal, with junior Jessica Ritchie flicking the ball into Yearby's path for a 30-yard sprint between central defenders and finish inside the far post. Freshman midfielder Shelby Wray scored the Big Red's first goal in the first half, nodding on a perfect header into the upper corner of the net off a cross from senior forward Meera Dheer. … Cornell fell to 1-3 on the season after a 2-0 loss Sunday against visiting Binghamton. The Bearcats scored both of their goals in the opening 21 minutes, then held on for a clean sheet despite a second-half effort from junior midfielder Carolyn Ruoff from 25 yards out that clattered the crossbar and somehow stayed out of the net despite hitting the back of the goalkeeper on the rebound. … The Big Red started its season with losses to Syracuse (3-0) and reigning Big Sky Conference champion Eastern Washington (3-1). Relative to the final 2016 Ratings Percentage Index, those were Cornell's two toughest non-league opponents this season. … Senior forward Paige DeLoach scored the Big Red's lone goal against Eastern Washington, marking her 10th collegiate tally. Senior midfielder Katerina Weikert had the assist. … Junior Meghan Kennedy has started all four games in goal, posting a 1-3 record, 2.47 goals against average and .690 save percentage.
 
HIGHLIGHTS OF SUNDAY'S GAME vs. BINGHAMTON

 
2016 REWIND
Cornell posted a 5-9-2 record last year against one of the most demanding schedules the program has faced in recent memory. The slate was set up that way with a purpose, attempting to build on a memorable 2015 season in which the Big Red was 9-4-4. Cornell actually had the same Ivy League record in both of those seasons — 2-4-1, a mark the program hasn't exceeded since 1995. … At the forefront of Cornell's struggles last season was a dearth of offense, though all 11 of its goals were scored by players who return to this year's squad. Senior forward Paige DeLoach led the team in scoring with nine points on four goals and one assist. Sophomore forward Kennedy Yearby ranked second with two goals and one assist for five points. … Junior goalkeeper Meghan Kennedy returns after earning All-Ivy League honorable mention by posting a 2-4-2 record, 1.01 goals against average and three shutouts powered by a stellar .852 save percentage. … For a full preview of the Big Red's 2017 season, click here http://cornellbigred.com/news/2017/8/29/womens-soccer-outlook-key-pieces-in-place-under-new-leader.aspx
 
HEAD COACH DWIGHT HORNIBROOK
After serving as an assistant coach for five seasons, Dwight Hornibrook was named the head coach in February 2017. While he's in his first season at the helm of the Big Red, he has 17 years of head coaching experience with the men's soccer programs at Houghton and SUNY Cortland. After joining the Cornell women's soccer team, Hornibrook had helped the Big Red win 30 games over the last five years — the program's highest total in such a span since 2002-06. Hornibrook's overall record as a head coach is 183-118-30. After a three-year professional career, two-time Cornell captain goalkeeper Tori Christ '14 joins the Big Red as an assistant coach. Megan Giles is the team's other assistant coach after serving as the volunteer assistant coach with the Big Red last year. Dana Daniels '17 now fills the role of volunteer assistant coach after completing a four-year career with Cornell as both a goalkeeper and field player.
 
CASE IN POINTS
Of Cornell's 36 points last season, 32 were notched by players who return to the squad this year. Also, eight of the team's 16 goals from its memorable 2015 season were scored by players on its current squad — four from senior Paige DeLoach, two from junior Jessica Ritchie and one each from seniors Carolyn Ruoff and Tess Pullano.
 
A CALL TO ARMBANDS
Seniors Kaylee Fitzgerald and Whitney Farber are serving as the Big Red's co-captains this season. Both players figure to be among the leading contributors on the back line this season, with Fitzgerald shifting back to central defense after playing much of her first three years on East Hill as a holding midfielder. Cornell carries eight seniors on its roster of 28 this season.

NATIONAL APPEAL
The Big Red has 14 different states, the District of Columbia and the province of Alberta represented on the team roster. The most represented state on the Big Red is California, which is called home by six players. Five hail from New York, four from New Jersey, two each from Illinois, Maryland and Ohio, and one each from Nevada, Oregon, Virginia, Wisconsin, the District of Columbia and Alberta. Head coach Dwight Hornibrook also hails from Canada, native to the New Brunswick capital of Fredericton.
 
ABOUT MAINE
The Black Bears improved to 2-4-1 after Sunday's 2-1 victory over visiting Marist. Maine converted on its only two shots on goal of the game, including a penalty kick by Kayla Brace in the ninth minute and then the winner from Kendra Ridley in the 72nd minute. Previously, Maine dropped 2-1 contests against Bryant last Thursday and Massachusetts on Sept. 3. … Kayla Brace leads the team in scoring with five points on two goals and an assist. Nicole Bailey has a goal and two assists for four points, and Ridley, Mikayla Morin and Olivia Bamford have the team's other goals to date. … Annalena Kriebisch has played every minute in goal so far, sporting a 2-4-1 record, 1.37 goals against average, .787 save percentage and a pair of shutouts.
 
THE SERIES WITH MAINE
Saturday's game will be the first meeting between Cornell and Maine in their respective program histories. Cornell is 21-11-5 all-time against current teams in the America East Conference, sporting a winning record against everyone except Hartford. The other two teams among America East that the Big Red has never played are New Hampshire and Mass.-Lowell.

UP NEXT
Cornell starts Ivy League play under the lights at Berman Field with Columbia visiting on Friday, Sept. 22. The Big Red then heads to the metro New York area for a non-league game at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24 at Fairleigh Dickinson.