Box Score (PDF)

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Cornell women's lacrosse kicked off Ivy League play on a high note in a matinee game Saturday at Reese Stadium. The Big Red doubled up the Bulldogs 15-7 to move to 1-0 in Ivy League play.
 
Senior Lindsay Toppe and sophomore Catherine Ellis both led all players with five points, each tallying four goals and an assist apiece. Sophomore Kristy Gilbert added her first hat-trick of the season for Cornell, while sophomore Amie Dickson added two goals and an assist. Junior Emily Tripodi and freshman Ida Farinholt were the other goal scorers, while senior Sarah Hefner and freshman Taylor Reed both added one helper.
 
Defensively, sophomore Catie Smith led the way with two caused turnovers and a ground ball, while senior Claire MacManus added one caused turnover and two ground balls. In all Cornell caused eight turnovers, which was the squad's highest output on the season.
 
Sophomore Renee Poullott turned in another fantastic outing in net, stopping seven shots and allowing only seven goals on the day.
 
In what has become an extremely positive trend through the early portion of this season, the Big Red got off to another fantastic start. Cornell exploded for the first four goals in the opening half to jump out to a commanding early lead.
 
Senior co-captain Lindsay Toppe continued her torrid scoring pace to begin the season, netting two goals in the run as part of a first half hat-trick. Sophomores Catherine Ellis and Amie Dickson each added a goal in the four-goal run.
 
The teams traded goals over the next few possessions, before Cornell again strung a three-goal run together to take control of the game at 8-2. Toppe netted her third of the half, while sophomore Kristy Gilbert added her first of the game and Ellis sent home her second of the half.
 
Cornell (3-1, 1-0 Ivy League) continued its run of smothering coverage in the defensive third. Sophomore Catie Smith led the Big Red with two caused turnovers in the opening half, while senior Claire MacManus added one caused turnover in a stifling half. Yale (3-2, 0-1 Ivy League) could find little room in the offensive third, as Cornell led 20-to-9 in attempted shots at the break. The Big Red translated that advantage to a commanding 8-3 lead at the halftime horn, marking the third straight half in which Cornell allowed three or less goals.
 
Sophomore keeper Renee Poullott did a good job when shots did find their way to the net. She marked three saves in the opening 30 minutes.
 
Yale responded with a strong start to the second half, scoring three of the first five goals in the period to cut the deficit to 10-6 with 17:15 left to play. Cornell responded with another big three-goal run to seal the game. Ellis and Toppe both added their fourth goals of the contest, while Dickson marked her second of the game.
 
The Big Red impressively held possession for the majority of the final 10 minutes, eliminating the chances for any late Bulldog comeback run. Junior Emily Tripodi and freshman Ida Farinholt capped the scoring for the visitors, both netting goals in the final two minutes of play.
 
Cornell will return home for another mid-week non-conference tilt in its next game. The Big Red will welcome Binghamton for a 5 p.m. opening draw at Schoellkopf Field on Wednesday, March 11.