NEW YORK, N.Y. - Sam McILwrick scored with 41 seconds remaining to play, but Cornell could not find the equalizer as Columbia ran out the clock to seal a 3-2 victory this evening in New York City. McILwrick's late goal capped an outstanding performance in which the junior captain scored, added an assist, and posted a defensive save to the Big Red effort.
 
The Lions made the most of their chances, holding a slim edge in shots (16-14), but putting 10 of its shots on goal, while Cornell put just six on frame. The Big Red had the advantage in penalty corners (9-7) but scored on just one of its opportunities. 
 
In goal, Kelly Johnson finished with five saves, and was aided by defensive saves from McILwrick and Luisa Schulte-Bockum. In the Columbia net, Kendall Kuntz made just two saves, but received defensive saves from Maeve Doherty and Rebecca Bard. 
 
Columbia (5-4, 1-1 Ivy) scored just under two minutes into the contest after an early penalty corner saw Johnson make a pair of saves, but Bard picked up the rebound and sent it to  Whitney Harstone, who beat Johnson on the right side. 
 
It didn't take long for the Big Red to answer, as a penalty corner goal from Katy Weeks in the 14th minute knotted the game at 1-1. Katie Carlson and McILwrick earned assists on the goal. 
 
Back-to-back goals by Katie Rusterholz in the 25th and 51st minute proved to be the difference, as Kuntz managed one save down the stretch, and Lion defenders blocked three Cornell shots before McILwrick's late tally. 
 
Cornell (5-4, 0-2 Ivy) is back in action on Sunday, Oct. 2 when it travels to Monmouth for a contest at noon.