ITHACA, N.Y. — The women's squash team came within one point of its first-ever victory over Trinity on Sunday before falling, 5-4, at Belkin International Squash Courts.
 
Three of the Big Red's four points came in five-game matches, including the two matches in the first rotation to give the hosts an early lead. Both Jaime Laird (No. 3) and Laura Caty (No. 9) stormed back to win the final two games if their respective matches to put Cornell ahead, 2-1.
 
Sophomore Rachel Au was the Big Red's third five-game winner, outlasting Robyn Hodgson at the No. 5 spot, 11-7, 11-8, 11-13, 12-14, 11-6. Junior Jessenia Pacheco then put Cornell within one point of a victory with a four-game victory over Catalina Pelaez at No. 2. Pacheco improved to 8-0 on the season.
 
The Bantams then swept the final rotation to win improve to 10-0 in the all-time series with the Big Red. While Trinity (12-1) is ranked fifth in the nation, it is likely to move up this week after defeating third-ranked Yale on Wednesday. Cornell (9-2) is ranked sixth heading into next weekend's Ivy League trip to Dartmouth and Harvard.
 
No. 5 TRINITY 5, No. 6 CORNELL 4
Sunday, at Belkin International Squash Courts; Ithaca, N.Y.
1. Kanzy El Defrawy (T) def. Danielle Letourneau, 11-6, 11-5, 11-4.
2. Jessenia Pacheco (C) def. Catalina Pelaez, 12-10, 4-11, 11-5, 11-6.
3. Jaime Laird (C) def. Wee Nee Low, 11-8, 5-11, 5-11, 11-8, 11-9.
4. Ashley Tidman (T) def. Abbey Foster, 11-6, 8-11, 7-11, 11-8, 11-7.
5. Rachel Au (C) def. Robyn Hodgson, 11-7, 11-8, 11-13, 12-14, 11-6.
6. Natalie Babjukova (T) def. Lindsay Seginson, 11-6, 11-4, 11-4.
7. Sachika Balvani (T) def. Maggie Remsen, 11-3, 11-9, 11-6.
8. Jennifer Pelleiter (T) def. Brynn Daniels, 11-4, 11-4, 6-11, 5-11, 11-4.
9. Laura Caty (C) def. Chanel Erasmus, 11-7, 9-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-9.
Ex. Olivia Wherry (C) def. Katiria Sanchez, 13-11, 11-7, 11-9.