Box Score (PDF)

ITHACA, N.Y. --- Cornell women's lacrosse held on after a late rally from Villanova to win the season-opener, 7-6, Saturday afternoon at Schoellkopf Field. Senior Olivia Mattyasovszky finished with two goals and an assist to lead the Big Red, while five other Big Red players added tallies, including two first career goals.

The Wildcats took an early 1-0 lead but freshman Tomasina Leska's first career goal brought Cornell even.

Mattyasovszky then got her first of the afternoon, giving the Big Red its first lead with about 19 minutes remaining in the first half.

The Big Red gained momentum, taking three shots in just over a minute, including a try from Leska that had to be knocked down by Fraum. Sophomore Taylor Reed earned a free position chance with 15 minutes left, but Fraum managed to keep it out. After over 11 minutes of scoreless play, Mattyasovszky found sophomore Anna Baumeister on the left side, and Baumeister tacked on another for Cornell, her first career goal as well.

Classmate Joey Coffy gave the Big Red a 4-1 lead heading into halftime.

Jackie Frocarro cut Cornell's lead to two early in the second half, but junior Amie Dickson answered quickly, beating a defender to give the Big Red a 5-2 advantage with 24:19 to go.

Less than two minutes later, junior Kristy Gilbert drew a foul and was awarded a free-position shot. She tucked the try past Fraum to give Cornell its largest lead of the day.

Frocarro's second of the day brought the Wildcats back within three, but Mattyasovszky answered with a free-position goal of her own with 13:29 to go, her second goal of the afternoon.

Villanova then began to mount a comeback, scoring three times in the final 9:38 of the game, including Frocarro's third of the day and Meghan Breen's second.

Junior goaltender Renee Poullott made six saves in the win. The Big Red picked up 16 ground balls, led by Coffy with four, and controlled 11 of 15 draws. Dickson led the way with six draw controls.

The Big Red travels to assistant coach Rachael Burek's alma mater, RV/No. 20 Albany, next Saturday, Feb. 27, at 3 p.m.