ITHACA, N.Y. – The No. 19 Big Red field hockey team saw its seven-game winning streak come to an end this afternoon to reigning Patriot League champion and perennial power American, 1-0, on Marsha Dodson Field. With the loss, its first shutout of the season, Cornell slips to 8-2 on the year, while the Eagles improve to 6-5.
The Big Red carried the play throughout the contest, outshooting American (11-5) and holding the advantage in penalty corners (6-3), but could not capitalize on several outstanding opportunities. Keeping the Eagles in the game was the solid play of goalie Kate McBeath, who made six saves.
Cornell junior
Elizabeth Schaeffler stopped three shots in her first loss of the season.
The Eagles, playing in their first game in over a week, came out fast, looking to take advantage of a Cornell squad that played in a heated Ivy League contest against Yale a day ago. The Big Red defense was up to the task, however, and after several tense moments the home team took over the half, finishing with a 7-2 edge in shots and a 4-1 advantage in penalty corners, but couldn't find an answer for McBeath, who posted five saves in the stanza, including a point-black shot from
Krysten Mayers on a breakaway and a diving stick save on a
Marisa Siergiej penalty corner attempt.
The Eagles had just two legitimate scoring chances in the first half and made the most of their first attempt with a goal from Jess Davis at the 29:31 mark. Davis dribbled into the circle and got a fortuitous bounce after a Cornell defender made a tackle, but couldn't clear the ball out of the circle. Davis collected the ball and sent it to the far post to put the visitors up, 1-0.
Moments later, American had its lone penalty corner chance of the first? half, but Schaeffler made the save to send the teams into halftime in a one-goal game.
Cornell continued to press in a more closely contested second half and had what appeared to be the equalizer with just under 12 minutes to go when a ball was played into the circle and deflected into the American goal. The goal was waved off by the officials, despite protests from the Big Red players and coaching staff.
In the ensuing confusion, American used a quick restart to get the ball upfield on a breakaway but Schaeffler made an outstanding save to keep it a one-goal game. Unfortunately, the Big Red managed just one more shot over the final 10 minutes and the Eagles escaped with the win.
The Big Red will enjoy a much-needed break as it heads into its conference bye-week. Cornell is back in action next weekend when it plays host to No. 13 Syracuse at Marsha Dodson Field on Sunday, Oct. 12 at 2 p.m.
