Box Score

HAMILTON, N.Y. -- The women's soccer team played a strong first half against Colgate on Wednesday, but a pair of second-half goals were too much to overcome in a 3-1 Big Red loss to the preseason Patriot League favorites.

Much like the game prior to Wednesday's tilt, Cornell held a territorial advantage in the early going. Caroline Growney had the first quality chance in the 13th minute, when her shot off a deep Claire MacManus throw-in deflected off a defender and forced a lunging save from Colgate keeper Ashley Walsh.

But it would be the Raiders to strike first shortly thereafter on a beautiful setup. A free kick from near midfield was served across the top of the 18-yard box for Catherine Williams to boot inside the far post at the 14:43 mark.

Cornell (0-3) drew even in the 29th minute on Jayann Gabrio's second goal off a free kick in as many games. The difference with Wednesday's goal was that it came from much further out -- 50 yards, to be exact -- and this strike had a little help. Gabrio drove a free kick from 10 yards inside the midfield stripe that deflected off the head of a Colgate defender and past the helpless keeper.

The Raiders held an 11-5 shots advantage in the first 45 minutes, but Cornell junior goalkeeper Tori Christ made five stops -- included two big saves late in the half to keep the game tied. In the 38th minute, Christ punched away a long-range free kick labeled for an upper corner, then she snuffed a shot from 12 yards by Sarah Henderson in the 45th minute.

Colgate (5-2-1) pulled ahead for good in the second half with two goals less than six minutes apart. Williams notched her second of the match in the 67th minute, then Lexi Panepinto capped off the scoring with 18:15 remaining.

The Big Red continues its season-opening stretch of five road games at 6 p.m. Sunday with a visit to America East foe Albany.