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ITHACA, N.Y. – In the final game of their career, the Cornell field hockey team's senior class led the Big Red to a 4-2 victory over Dartmouth on Marsha Dodson Field. Seniors accounted for two goals and one assist, but in a sign of good things to come, Cornell also got a pair of goals and an assist from underclassmen. Among the seniors scoring for the Big Red was Catie De Stio, who became Cornell's all-time career points leader, surpassing Cari Hills (1994-97) with 94 points for her career. De Stio's goal was also considered the game-winner, giving her the Big Red career record for career game-winning goals as well with 12.

With the win, the Big Red completes the season with an 11-5 record overall and a mark of 5-2 in the Ivy League. The victory, coupled with Brown's win over Yale, gives Cornell a second place finish in the conference standings. It also ties the school record for wins in a season, initially set in 2008.

“It was a well-played game by both sides,” said head coach Donna Hornibrook. “It was a special day and I'm really happy that we could send this senior class out with a victory. They've been such an integral part of our success that they deserve to have this moment. In all, I think this was a great team effort and our defense played really well against a dangerous offense, which opened up the game and gave us some great scoring opportunities.”

Cornell controlled the game, holding the edge in shots (23-9), shots on goal (18-7) and penalty corners (14-7). The Big Red also did a great job of shutting down one of the best penalty corner offenses in the nation, not allowing the Big Green unit to score. Alex Botte had a great game, making five saves in the win.

Dartmouth (10-7, 3-4) was held in the game by the outstanding play of its goalie, Megan Vakiener, who finished with 13 saves, while Liz Blanken registered a defensive save.

The Big Red went up 1-0 on its first shot of the game when senior Mattie Prodanovic scored off an assist from Kate Thompson when the two teamed up for a beautiful give-and-go off a penalty corner attempt.

Dartmouth responded with a goal by Allie Weinstock at the 23:01 mark and the teams went into halftime tied at 1-1.

De Stio opened the scoring in the second half in the 42nd minute when Mallory Bannon sent a pass across the top of the circle and De Stio ripped a brilliant fall-away shot into the near post to put the home team up, 2-1.

Just over four minutes later, freshman Hanna Balleza tipped a Sara Sanders' shot into the back of the net but Virginia Peisch responded almost immediately with a great individual effort to keep it a one-goal game, 3-2, at 47:48. The Cornell goal was initially set up by an outstanding save from Botte, who cleared the ball out of the circle by kicking it to midfield. A Cornell fast break ensued and eventually led to a penalty corner. While the Big Green managed to make the initial save on the penalty corner, Sanders was able to collect the ball and set up Balleza's goal.

The Big Red continued to push and got an insurance goal late in the game from Kat Di Pastina. Though not credited with an assist, Balleza collected the ball at midfield and sent a great pass behind the defense, allowing DiPastina to run onto it. A Big Green defender caught up with her, but the sophomore forward alluded the Dartmouth player and beat Wakiener for the goal to account for the 4-2 final.