ITHACA, N.Y. – Cornell sophomore Krysten Mayers scored in the 47th minute and sophomore defender Sam McILwrick blocked a Harvard penalty corner shot with no time remaining in the contest to hand the Big Red a 1-0 victory this afternoon at Marsha Dodson Field. With the win, Cornell improves to 8-4 overall and 3-1 in the Ivy League, while the Crimson slip to 7-4 overall and 2-2 in the conference.
 
Mayers' game-winner came off a penalty corner when she collected the rebound after Harvard goalie Issy Davies saved Marisa Siergiej's initial shot, and slotted the ball to the far post to give Cornell the 1-0 lead. The Crimson turned up the pressure over the final 23 minutes, forcing Big Red goalie Kelly Johnson to make two of her four saves on the day during that span. Harvard had one final good chance to find the equalizer when it was awarded a penalty corner with 20 seconds to play. The Crimson allowed time to run out and sent every field player into the circle, but Elizabeth Jacobson's shot was deflected away by McILwrick to preserve the victory.
 
"I think it was a great team effort today," said head coach Donna Hornibrook. "I was really pleased with how we played in the second half. I thought after a slow start we made some adjustments and started moving the ball better and that opened things up and gave us some good scoring opportunities against a tough Harvard defense."
 
Cornell held the slim 10-8 edge in shots and put seven shots on goal to Harvard's four. The Crimson finished with the 6-5 advantage in penalty corners.
 
Davis finished with five saves and received a defensive save from Harvard captain Caroline Code.
 
The Big Red is back in action on Tuesday, Oct. 20 when it travels to No. 10 Albany for a contest at 7 p.m.