ITHACA, N.Y. – For the second game in a row, the Cornell University field hockey team offensively dominated its opponent, but struggled to put the ball in the net, as it needed two late goals to defeat Lehigh, 2-0. With the victory, the Big Red improved to 6-4 overall.

 

“I thought Lehigh played with a lot of intensity,” said head coach Donna Hornibrook. “I like the way we came out in the second half and settled down a little. We moved and possessed the ball much better after half time. Overall, I'm happy that we created so many chances, but we need to be more productive in our finishing.”

 

Cornell outshot the Mountain Hawks, 20-3 and held a 10-1 advantage in penalty corners, but needed two late second half goals to claim the victory.

 

Catie De Stio got the Big Red on the board in the 43rd minute, with the assist going to Natalie Appleton. The goal came as a result of a penalty corner in which Appleton, the stick stopper, pushed the ball off to Belen Martinez, but then rolled to the right side of the circle and received the ball back from Martinez. Appleton sent a shot into the circle and De Stio tipped it past Lehigh goalie Lilia Stefaniwsky.

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Cornell got a late insurance goal when Kate Thompson was awarded a free hit off a Mountain Hawk penalty at the top of the circle. Thompson shot the ball into the circle and Abbi Horn played it past Stefaniwsky to put Cornell up, 2-0.

 

Stefaniwsky stopped 10 shots in the loss, and defender Taryn Hartzell added a defensive save late in the first half to keep the Mountain Hawks in the game.

 

Cornell goalie Melanie Jue needed to make just one save for the win, but it was an impressive one as she stopped a shot at point-blank range to preserve the shut out.

 

The Big Red is back in action later this week as it travels to Hamilton, N.Y. to play a mid-week contest vs. instate rival Colgate on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m., before returning to Ithaca to face Division I newcomer Bryant on Marsha Dodson Field on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 1 p.m.