Box Score (PDF)

PHILADELPHIA – The men's soccer team opened up its Ivy League season with a 1-1 draw against Penn (1-6-1, 0-0-1 Ivy League) on Saturday night at Rhodes Field. After being down early in the first half, freshman Caleb McAuslan came through in the clutch and netted the equalizer to secure the tie for Cornell (4-3-2, 0-0-1).

"I think we had a bit of a learning curve," said head coach John Smith. "I don't think we did a great job in the first half coming in with the right intensity, and Penn did. But the response in the second half was phenomenal. We had a number of good chances and we controlled the game physically and technically. We couldn't capitalize on those chances but we were dominant."

McAuslan earned his second goal of the season in the 77th minute following a beautiful cross from Tyler Bagley who sent the ball from the right of the 18-yard box. The Quakers' goal keeper, Etan Mabourakh, wasn't able to secure the ball as it landed in the goal area and McAuslan was able to tap it in with his left foot after it bounced off of the right post.

Penn got its goal in the 19th minute after a header by Jake Kohlbrenner led to a shot by Joe Swenson. The Big Red's goalkeeper Mitchell Meyer was able to get a piece of Swenson's shot, but Jerel Blades was able to get the finish from the far post.

Despite the Quakers getting the early lead in the game, the team was able to kick things up a notch following half time to take control for the rest of the match. Penn went into the break outshooting Cornell, 5-3, but the newly energized Big Red rocketed off eight shots in the second half while the defense limited the opposition to two.

"The good thing about his group is that we've proved in every game that we can score goals," said Smith. "There wasn't any panic when we were down, the guys stuck to the task. They got after it in the second half and all credit to the team. They just kept pushing and pressing."

The squad kept that momentum going into both overtime periods, tallying three shots per extra frame while the Quakers weren't able to muster any. In the end, Cornell's rejuvenated physicality and mentality showed on the field and the scoresheet as Cornell ultimately out shot Penn, 17-7.

Meyer got the start in goal for the fourth-straight game, recording two saves. The team's offensive front was trouble for Mabourakh, who was forced to make six saves. Both teams were pretty even in terms of corner kicks, with Penn taking four while Cornell earned three.

The Big Red is now on a four-game unbeaten streak, its longest since the team won four games in a row in 2014.

Cornell continues on its Ivy season as it hosts Harvard next week for a 4:30 p.m. matchup on Oct. 7.