ITHACA, N.Y. – The Big Red field hockey team scored three goals in the second half to erase a 1-0 halftime deficit and defeat Rider, 3-1, in the team's final non-conference game of the season. Three different players scored for Cornell, with Katie Carlson having a hand in all three tallies.
 
The game was incredibly close over the first 35 minutes and the Broncs scored on their only penalty corner attempt of the game when Carlota Alsina redirected a shot by Carlie Spaeder in the 24th minute.
 
"We didn't get a lot of pressure or enough shots in the first half," said head coach Donna Hornibrook. "The positive thing is that we were able to come back in the second half which I think is a good step for the team. We've been really focused on finishing [the season] strong and this weekend was a big part of that."
 
Cornell (8-7) turned up the offensive pressure in the second half and scored less than two minutes into the stanza when Katie Carlson took a pass from Krysten Mayers and knotted the game at 1-1.
 
The game-winner came in the 59th minute when Kjersti Anderson scored her second career goal off a pass from Carlson.   
 
The Big Red tacked on a late insurance goal at the 68:32 mark when Kirsten Pienaar scored off a penalty corner to account for the 3-1 final. Both Carlson and Isabel Josephs were credited with the assist.
 
For the game, Cornell held the 12-8 edge in shots, and a 5-4 advantage in shots on goal. The Big Red was impressive in the circle during the game, attempting seven penalty corners, while defensively holding the Broncs to just one attempt, and none in the second half.
 
In goal, freshman Maddie Henry improved to 2-0 on the season with three saves, while Riders' Emily Gilligan stopped two shots in the loss.
 
Cornell is back in action next weekend when it plays host to No. 11 Princeton at Marsha Dodson Field on Saturday, Oct. 29 at noon.