ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Cornell women's polo team overcame a slow start, pulling away with a strong second half in a 24-6 win over Yale on Saturday evening at Oxley Equestrian Center. The Big Red improved to 5-3 overall and 4-1 at home for the season.

Cornell opened up with Maddy Olberg, Ali Hoffman and Kristen Russomano. The Big Red struggled to find the goal early and the Yale squad took advantage by taking a 3-1 lead until Cornell pulled within one at 3-2 with only a couple seconds left in the chukker. Cornell rebounded in the second taking the lead at 4-3. The Bulldogs answered with a two pointer to forge back into the lead at 5-4. The Big Red was not to be denied and tallied twice more to hold a 6-5 lead at the half. Mariah Lavitt, Beth Lebow and Kailey Eldredge took over for Cornell in the second half and immediately jumped on the Bulldogs for eight unanswered goals to take control of the match. Led by Eldredge's six goals in the chukker, Cornell led 15-6 after three. The Big Red continued to cruise in the fourth with Eldredge adding seven more to her game-high 13 goals as Cornell cruised to their fifth victory of the season with the 24-6 win. Hoffman added four goals, Lavitt had three, Lebow notched two and Russomano had one and the ponies each scored one.