ITHACA, N.Y. – With all zeros showing on the scoreboard, sophomore Olivia Boyd redirected a shot by Kate Thompson into the goal to give the Big Red field hockey team the 2-1 victory over Columbia in double overtime. With the victory, Cornell remained undefeated with a 7-0 record (2-0 Ivy), while the Lions' record evens at 3-3 (0-1 Ivy).

“It was one of the hardest fought victories that we've had in the time that I've been at Cornell and I'm proud that the team played tough and scored as the clock ran out,” said head coach Donna Hornibrook. “I give full credit to Columbia for a gutsy effort and how well they played, but I'm happy that our team showed a lot of heart and competitiveness.” 

Catie De Stio also scored for the Big Red, while senior Mel Jue had her best performance of the season with 10 saves. Defender Sarah Sanders also registered a defensive save.

 

Cornell outshot the visitors, 27-17, and held the overwhelming edge in penalty corners, 21-6.

 

The Big Red completely dominated the two overtime periods, holding a 14-1 advantage in shots, and an 11-1 edge in penalty corners, despite the fact that the team had to play down a player for five minutes due to a penalty.

 

Still, the score was deadlocked at 1-1 when Cornell was awarded a penalty corner with time winding down in the second overtime period. Even though time officially ran out, field hockey rules allow play to continue during a penalty corner. In all, the Big Red was awarded five-straight penalty corners, four of which came after time expired, before Boyd's game-winner.

 

Despite dominating play in the first half and the overtime periods, Columbia responded to De Stio's goal in the 55th minute by turning up the offensive pressure, outshooting Cornell, 13-7, in the half and forcing Jue to make nine saves.  Still, it took a penalty stroke for the Lions to get on the board, as Katie DeSandis scored at the 63:58 mark to make it a 1-1 game.

 

Cornell is back in action next weekend as it travels to New Haven, Conn., to take on Ivy League foe Yale on Saturday, Oct. 3 at noon.