Box Score (PDF)ITHACA, N.Y. -
Caroline Growney had a goal and an assist, then
Meera Dheer's first collegiate goal proved to be the winner in the women's soccer team's 3-2 victory over Penn on Friday night at Berman Field.
All three Big Red goals came in the opening 32 minutes, as Cornell took advantage of a gusty southerly wind at its back to carry play in the opening half. Cornell (6-3, 1-1 Ivy League) then held off a feverish second-half rally from Penn (3-3-2, 0-2 Ivy) to break a 15-game losing streak to the Quakers and secure its first victory in the series since 1996.
Cornell wasted no time in taking the lead, converting on a set play off a throw-in deep in Penn territory.
Whitney Farber started the play with a throw from the right sidelines that was flicked on by the head of Growney.
Elizabeth Crowell ran into space about 12 yards out from goal at the near post, beating the Quakers' keeper just 1 minute, 47 seconds into the game.
Growney then doubled the Big Red lead in the 15th minute, after making a diagonal run through the middle to receive a perfect through-ball from
Claire MacManus. Growney's first touch eluded the charging Penn keeper 20 yards out from goal, then the Big Red junior forward calmly converted from the right side of the penalty area.
Dheer then tacked on another goal with 13:13 left in the opening half.
Aimee Tavzel boomed a free kick from inside the Cornell penalty area up the right side. Riding the wind, the ball bounced a couple of times before Dheer whirled a surprise shot from 30 yards that flew high toward the far post. The Penn keeper got her hands to it, but not enough to prevent the ball from crossing the goal line. The last time Cornell scored three goals in an Ivy League game was Oct. 14, 2006 vs. Yale.
The goal turned out to be pivotal, as the Quakers put a scare into the home side with a lively second half. Haley Cooper got the visitors on the board with a header in the 64th minute off an Erin Mikolai cross. With just 2:45 to play, Penn got its deficit to one on Ana Chevtchenko's goal, but Cornell held on to level its league record. Goalkeeper
Kelsey Tierney made two saves to earn the victory.
The Big Red is back in action at 7 p.m. Monday, when it travels to Hamilton for a non-league contest at Colgate.
