Box Score (PDF)

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Sophomore forward Kennedy Yearby scored 2 minutes, 38 seconds into overtime to lead the women's soccer its first victory of the season with a 2-1 decision over Buffalo on Friday night. The win was the first in the Division I ranks and the first in the Cornell tenure of head coach Dwight Hornibrook.
 
Junior midfielder Jessica Ritchie collected the lone assist on the winning goal, but the play came just seconds after a goal kick with the ball working straight up the middle of the fast artificial surface at UB Stadium. Senior Whitney Farber and sophomore Juliana Comer challenged for the header in midfield, which junior midfielder Zoe McCormick advanced into Buffalo territory. Senior forward Paige DeLoach then flicked it on to Ritchie's run 50 yards from goal, then Ritchie beat her defender to the ball and sent it into space ahead. That's where Yearby won the sprint against the Bulls' last two defenders, collecting the ball 25 yards from goal before entering the box and calmly slotting a left-footed shot into the far side of the net from 12 yards out.
 
After falling behind early in each of its first two games this season, Cornell (1-2) got off to a better start Friday and ultimately struck first with freshman midfielder Shelby Wray's first collegiate goal in the 35th minute.
 
Senior defender Kaylee Fitzgerald started the play leading up to the first goal by winning the ball while defending and sending Comer running up the middle. As she entered the offensive third of the field, she slid a pass over to senior midfielder Meera Dheer running up the left side. She created space against her defender and sent a cross from near the top corner of the 18-yard box toward the penalty spot, where Wray deftly directed a header into the upper corner inside the far post.
 
Cornell had a chance to double the lead early in the second half when DeLoach collected a through-ball in the box and got away a clean sheet, but the Bulls' goalkeeper stayed low and collected the shot. Buffalo (1-4) countered less than a minute later, with Kaitlyn Walsh sliding a shot inside the far post from the right side of the 18.
 
Junior goalkeeper Meghan Kennedy made five saves to earn the victory. Cornell returns home for its next game, which comes in the form of a noon Sunday clash against Binghamton at Berman Field in Ithaca.