Box Score

ITHACA, N.Y. – Cornell scored in bunches on Saturday afternoon, getting two first-period goals in less than a minute and doing the same in the second period on its way to a 5-1 win against Union in Lynah Rink. That wasn't even the best news for Cornell on Saturday night.

Away from Lynah, Harvard defeated Princeton 10-1, giving Cornell its third consecutive Ivy League title. Cornell still has two Ivy League games to play, but its 11th championship in program history was won Saturday.

Closer to home, five goals by four different players contributed to the Big Red's league win against Union. Cornell (21-3, 16-2 ECAC Hockey) has now won 16 consecutive contests against the Dutchwomen (4-22-4, 2-14-2) and has won 11 of its last 12 contests.

The Dutchwomen took three penalties in the game's first four minutes, giving the Big Red a five-on-three opportunity that it capitalized on twice.

The Big Red's first goal came on a shot low on the right side from Emily Fulton. The freshman took a pass from Laura Fortino at the blue line and tucked the puck past Kate Gallagher for the 1-0 lead.

Just 36 seconds later with a one-man advantage, Brianne Jenner tipped a puck in front off a shot by Lauriane Rougeau, and Cornell had a 2-0 lead. When the dust settled on the first period, the Big Red's advantage in shots on goal stood at 23-1.

Cornell scored two more times in the second period, but it took the Big Red more than 19 minutes to get those goals. Once the period entered its final minute, Cornell struck.

Jillian Saulnier got her 17th goal of the season after an end-to-end breakout. Laura Fortino started the play with a pass from the end line to Rebecca Johnston. Johnston found Saulnier streaking up the left side right away, and Saulnier swooped in toward the net, went forehand to backhand and beat Gallagher five-hole.

“It was a perfect play by [Fortino] and a perfect pass up from [Johnston],” Saulnier said. “They basically gave it to me.”

A mere 19 seconds later, the Big Red struck once more. A shot on goal by Erin Barley-Maloney stayed near the crease, and Monika Leck was there to clean up a rebound during a scrum in front of the net. The goal was Leck's first since playing at Union on Jan. 6.

In the third period, Leck added her second goal of the night and seventh of her career, putting in a shot after Jessica Campbell sent it her way.

Cornell goaltender Lauren Slebodnick earned her second consecutive win but didn't have much to do during the game. She made four saves as the Big Red offense and defense kept the puck in Union's end of the ice for most of the evening.

“They say a good offense is the best defense,” Cornell coach Doug Derraugh said. “We did a much better job moving the puck up and keeping the puck in the offensive zone.”

The Ivy League champion Big Red next plays in a televised contest against No. 5 Mercyhurst on Tuesday night in Lynah Rink. The game will be broadcast live on Time Warner Cable. Cornell follows that game with a trip to Brown and Yale on Friday and Saturday, where it will receive the Ivy League trophy.