ITHACA, N.Y. – After falling to Garrison Forest and Maryland in its last two contests, the Cornell women's polo team will look to get back on track when it hosts UConn on Saturday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Oxley Equestrian Center in Ithaca, N.Y. The Big Red will then travel to Skidmore on Sunday for a 2 p.m. contest in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Last Time Out:
The Big Red was barely edged by Maryland in its last outing on Friday, Nov. 5, falling to the Terrapins, 15-14. In a contest that was neck-and-neck for the duration, Cornell found itself trailing by three, 12-9, heading into the final period of play. Maryland claimed its largest lead of the contest in the fourth chukker, leading the Big Red, 15-11. The Big Red's Sophia Neis did all she could at that point to give Cornell a chance, scoring three-straight goals to get the Big Red within one, 15-14. It's as close as Cornell would get however, as the Terrapins hung on for the narrow victory.
Jasmine Umrigar was the biggest force behind the Cornell offense in the loss, posting a team-high and season-best five goals. Neis and Rachel Booth scored three apiece, while Lea Jih-Vieira notched a pair of goals.
The Series vs. UConn:
The Cornell and UConn polo teams have a storied history of playing against each other, squaring off 111 times in the series history. The Big Red holds a distinct 81-29-1 record against the Huskies, including a 38-8 mark at the Oxley Equestrian Center. Cornell has won nine of the last 10 match-ups between the two schools, including a pair of victories during the 2019-20 season. The Big Red won its contests that season by scores of 23-4 on Nov. 16, 2019 and 17-6 on Feb. 1, 2020, with both contests being played at the Oxley Equestrian Center.
The Series vs. Skidmore:
Cornell and Skidmore are also very familiar with each other, having faced each other over 100 times to date. The Big Red has been dominant against the Thoroughbreds, losing only eight times in 100 tries and holding a 90-8-2 record, including 50-1 at home. The Big Red emerged victorious the last time the two teams went head-to-head, as Cornell won, 18-5, on Feb. 29, 2020, at Oxley. Skidmore won the last time the schools played in Saratoga Springs, however, defeating Cornell, 16-13, on Oct. 6, 2019.
Leading Scorers:
The Big Red has four student-athletes that have posted double-digit goals so far this season, illustrating that strength comes in numbers. Jasmine Umrigar and Lea Jih-Vieira share the team-lead in goals with 19 apiece. One of Jih-Vieira's goals on the year was good for two, giving her the team-high in points with 20. Sophia Neis (14 goals, 14 points) and Rachel Booth (12 goals, 13 points) have also been key pieces of the Cornell offense this year.
Up Next:
The Cornell women's polo team will be back in action when it hosts the annual Bill Field Invitational from Nov. 18-21 at the Oxley Equestrian Center in Ithaca, N.Y.
