WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – The Big Red field hockey team jumped out to a 3-1 lead at halftime and then fought off a late push by Monmouth to earn a 3-2 victory this afternoon at So Sweet A Cat Field in West Long Branch, N.J. With the win, Cornell extends its current winning streak to six games and improves to 7-1 on the year.
 
After scoring the overtime game-winner against Columbia a day ago, freshman Krysten Mayers capped a fantastic weekend with one goal and one assist to lead the Big Red. Juniors Katie Garrity and Marisa Siergiej also scored for the visitors, while Sam McILwrick, Taylor Standiford and Ann DiPastina added one assist apiece.
 
Monmouth (4-5) received goals from Meg Donahue and Trish O'Dwyer, while Rachel Konowal and Hannah Loux registered assists.
 
Cornell held the significant advantage in shots (15-7), shots on goal (11-4) and penalty corners (9-4), putting considerable pressure on Hawks goalie, Christen Piersanti, who finished with seven saves, while Casey Hanna made a defensive stop.
 
Big Red goalie Elizabeth Schaeffler finished with two saves.  
 
Monmouth jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, scoring on its very first shot of the contest when Konowal sent a pass into the circle and Donahue deflected it past Schaeffler.
 
Just over eight minutes later, the Big Red responded with back-to-back goals in a span of 2:34 to take a lead it would not relinquish. Garrity got Cornell on the board first when she batted in a pass from Mayers to knot the game at 1-1. Mayers then handed the visitors the lead when she took a pass from McILwrick and sent it through Piersanti's legs.
 
Siergiej made it a 3-1 game just before the halftime intermission when she scored off a penalty corner, with the assists going to Standiford and DiPastina.
 
The Big Red continued to carry the play in the second half, but couldn't add to its lead, despite outshooting the Hawks in the half, 6-2.
 
O'Dwyer pulled the home team within striking distance with a goal in the 53rd minute, but the Hawks didn't get another shot off over the final 16 minutes of the contest.
 
The Big Red opens up a three-game home stand next weekend when it welcomes Yale and American to Marsha Dodson Field on Saturday, Oct. 4 and Sunday Oct. 5, respectively, before welcoming No. 10 Syracuse the following Sunday, Oct. 12.