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Cornell University Athletics

Moonie Mancho
Tim McKinney/Cornell Athletics

Women's Soccer Breaks Through For 4-1 Win Over Lafayette

10/2/2012 9:33:00 PM

Box Score Box Score
Photo Gallery (by Tim McKinney)

ITHACA, N.Y. — Senior forward Maneesha Chitanvis scored twice, and classmate Xandra Hompe had a goal and three assists as the women's soccer team defiantly snapped a 14-game losing streak on Tuesday when an offensive explosion added up to a 4-1 victory over Lafayette.

Senior forward Moonie Mancho scored the Big Red's first goal with 40 seconds remaining in the first half to erase a Leopards lead. Cornell (1-10) then pounced for three goals in a nine-minute span early in the second half to take control. Junior goalkeeper Tori Christ earned her first collegiate victory in 45 minutes of action.

Lafayette's goal came in the 42nd minute, but the Big Red bounced back in short order with Hompe making a run into the box from the left side before setting up Mancho for the finish.

Hompe then gave the Big Red its first lead since Sept. 12 just 2:21 after halftime. Junior Rachel Nichols started the ball forward from the midfield, and freshman Caroline Growney turned the ball toward the left for Hompe to make a run. After making a touch around the charging goalkeeper, Hompe calmly blasted a low shot into the net.

The lead would soon balloon to three goals after Hompe assisted on a pair of Chitanvis goals. The first came in the 51st minute, when Hompe took a shot that clanked off the post and into the six-yard box. Chitanvis then took a crack at goal, also hitting the post before she converted. The senior tri-captain then scored again 6:02 later when the Lafayette keeper spilled a ball off Hompe's foot into the box for the close-range conversion.

Freshman goalkeeper Caroline Quentin made her first collegiate start for the Big Red, making one save in the first half. Christ also made one save, a stellar effort on a shot from close range by Laura Zito with just 10 seconds remaining. 

The game marked the first time the Big Red has scored four goals in a game since Sept. 5, 2010, when it blasted Delaware State to the tune of 7-0. It also extended Cornell's all-time series lead against Lafayette to 9-0, including a 5-0 mark at Berman Field.

Hompe became the first Cornellian to register three assists in a game since 1991. It had only been done three times before, by Jennifer Smith against Hartwick on Oct. 7, 1987, Amy Snow against Monmouth on Sept. 15, 1991 and Krista Kallio -- who had four assists -- against Wells on Sept. 28, 1983. Hompe's five points were the most in a game since Chitanvis opened the 2011 season with two goals and an assist at Fordham. That also marked the last time Chitavnis had two goals in a game. Hompe matched the feat on Sept. 9 against Albany.

The Big Red will return to Ivy League play for the final five games of its season, starting with a noon matchup Saturday at reigning Ivy League champion Harvard.
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