Box Score Box Score

ITHACA, N.Y. – After scoring just nine goals through the first nine games of the season, the Big Red field hockey team has scored seven goals in its last two outings, including today's 3-1 victory over Bucknell on Marsha Dodson Field. With the win, Cornell improves to 5-6 overall, while the Bison slip to 4-8.

It was a balanced offensive effort for the Big Red, with goals coming from Olivia Boyd, Hannah Balleza and Mallory Banon, while Katie Laventure and Brittany Thompson both registered assists.

Defensively, senior goalie Alex Botte had an outstanding game, making four saves to go along with several well-timed rushes to break up Bucknell circle entry passes.

The Bison held the slim 10-9 margin in shots and a 6-4 advantage on penalty corners, but Cornell held a 6-5 edge in shots on goal.

Bucknell's lone tally came late in the contest off a well struck penalty corner from Kelly Stefanowicz, with assists credited to Mallory Smith and Marci Richard.  In goal, Erica Perrine made three saves in the loss.

Cornell carried the play through the majority of the first half but could not get onto the board until the 32nd minute when Laventure sent a centering pass into the circle and Boyd collected the ball with her back to the goal, wrapped around a defender and took a hard shot that caromed off a Bison defender's foot and into the net.

Balleza made it a 2-0 game at the 48:32 mark when she redirected a centering pass from Thompson into the back of the goal.

Just under eight minutes later, Stefanowicz made it a one-goal game, but the Big Red got an insurance goal in the 63rd minute when Bannon converted a penalty stroke to account for the 3-1 final. The stroke was awarded to Cornell when a Bison defender used her body to stop a sure goal by Thompson.

The Big Red is back in action this weekend when it welcomes Harvard and Georgetown to Marsha Dodson Field. Cornell will take on the Crimson on Saturday, Oct. 15, before facing the Hoyas on Sunday, Oct. 16. Both games are slated to begin at noon.