ITHACA, N.Y. – Krysten Mayers capped a career day with perhaps the most important goal of her career, tipping a shot by Katy Weeks in the 92nd minute to lift Cornell to a 3-2 victory over No. 13 Princeton in double-overtime this afternoon at Marsha Dodson Field. The goal was Mayers third of the day, giving the junior her second career hat-trick in as many Ivy League contests.
 
The win is the first for Cornell over Princeton since 2007, it was also the first-ever overtime win by the Big Red vs. the Tigers, as the series is now tied in overtime 1-1-3. The victory is also the first for Cornell over a ranked opponent since the Big Red defeated No. 20 Maine on Oct. 26, 2014.
 
"Princeton has been the team to beat in the league," said head coach Donna Hornibrook. "For any Ivy team on any given day to beat Princeton is a big win. I think the season has had its ups and its downs … so this is just a good win because we've been able to bounce back and finish the season strong, which tells me that the girls are continuing to battle and compete every day. So I'm really happy that we're building some momentum. It's a positive thing for our senior class and something we can use to inspire our returners."
 
Cornell (9-7, 3-3 Ivy) looked as though it might put the game away early, as Mayers scored twice in the first 17 minutes of the contest to stake the Big Red a 2-0 lead. Her first goal of the day was assisted on by Katie Carlson, while her second was assisted by Weeks.
 
"Krysten has been creating opportunities all season," said Hornibrook. "The last few games she's just caught on fire and it's coming at a good time. Today was huge!"
 
Princeton (9-7, 4-2) stormed back with two goals in the final eight minutes of the first half, including one with just 17 seconds to go before the break, to send the teams into the intermission knotted at 2-2. The Tigers' goals game from Sophia Tornetta and Jane Donio-Enscoe.
 
"Give credit to them because they came back," said Hornibrook. "They're a good team, but we told our kids at the half 'We're in it.' We were creating some really good chances and we felt we could continue to do that."
 
Despite numerous opportunities for both teams, neither could find the back of the net for the final 35 minutes of regulation, nor the first 15-minute overtime period.
 
The game was remarkably even throughout, with Princeton holding the slim 16-12 edge in shots, but just an 8-7 edge in shots on goal. The Tigers also had a 7-6 advantage in penalty corners.
 
In cage, freshman Maddie Henry improved to 3-0 for her career with six saves, five of which came in the second half, while Princeton's Grace Baylis stopped four, including one in overtime, in the loss. For the Tigers, the loss was their first to an unranked team all season.
 
"Maddie played really solid and made key saves," said Hornibrook. "We didn't get a lot of shots against us but the ones we had, she was there to answer the call. I also thought the back line did a good job today. So that helped."
 
Cornell plays its final game of the season and honors the team's seniors – Elizabeth Horak, Luisa Schulte-Bockum, and Katy Weeks – when it welcomes Dartmouth to Marsha Dodson Field on Saturday, Nov. 5 at noon.