ITHACA, N.Y. – Reagan Pauwels' 50th-minute goal proved to be the game-winner as Cornell posted a 2-1 Ivy League victory over Princeton at Berman Field on Saturday afternoon.
The victory for Cornell (3-7-5, 1-3-2 Ivy) was the program's first over Princeton (8-7-1, 1-4-1 Ivy), since Sept. 25, 1995, snapping the Big Red's 25-game losing streak to its Ivy League rival.
"Delighted with the performance, delighted with the result," Cornell head coach Rob Ferguson said. "We've felt like we've deserved a lot more than we've got this season. It's nice for it to come in a moment like this. We know it's a matter of time before we make this more of a norm, if we keep doing the things we do."
Laken Gallman also scored for Cornell in the victory, netting what ended up being the game-tying goal in the 23rd minute. Sophomore goalkeeper Erica Fox made five saves for the Big Red, including a pair of critical saves to keep the game in Cornell's favor.
"She was great," Ferguson said of his goalkeeper. "She made game-winning saves. When you're a front player, you've got to find game-winning goals. When you're a goalkeeper, your job is to deliver game-winning saves. We talked about getting better with the standard stuff and delivering game-winning saves. She was phenomenal."
Pietra Tordin netted Princeton's lone tally in the 10th minute, depositing a feed from Lily Bryant and Heather McNab past Fox putting the Tigers ahead early.
Despite conceding the early tally, Cornell deployed a relentless attack on Princeton, making the Tigers as uncomfortable as possible.
Gallman equalizer came following a Cornell corner kick. Ashley Durik headed the set piece toward the goal, but the ball hit where the crossbar and right post meet. Peyton Nichols had her rebound attempt blocked by a Princeton defender before Gallman took advantage of a loose ball inside the 8-yard box to net her team-leading fifth goal of the season.
Out of the halftime break, Pauwels put the Big Red ahead after going one-on-one with Princeton's goalkeeper, Tyler McCamey, who saved Pauwels' first shot, but the rebound attempt slowly crossed the goal line to put Cornell ahead.
Princeton desperately tried to net the equalizer for the remaining 40 minutes of the match, but Cornell's defense stood strong in preventing a tying goal.
Game Notes
• Saturday was the 40th all-time meeting between Cornell and Princeton. Despite the setback, Princeton still holds a commanding 28-8-4 lead in the series.
• The pair of goals by Cornell were the most against Princeton since the Big Red posted a 5-0 victory on Sept. 25, 1994. Over the previous 26 matches, the Tigers had conceded just eight goals to the Big Red since 1995.
• Fox earned her first win in goal for Cornell since posting a two-save shutout in her collegiate debut against Canisius on Aug. 27, 2021.
Looking Ahead
Cornell will host Dartmouth in its final regular season match next Saturday at Berman Field. First touch is slated for 2 p.m. between the Big Green and Big Red. Game action will be broadcast on ESPN+.
"We want the same intensity and fight we've had that whole year – apart from maybe the first half at Harvard. What we want to improve next week is do better with the ball," Ferguson said. "Too often it invites pressure. When you have the ball, you control everything. When you have the ball, you're not defending, you can dictate the pace, create chances. We bring the energy, we bring the fight, we know how we want to play."
