PRINCETON, N.J. -- Katie McGahan tied a career high with 18 saves, but No. 10 Princeton rallied past the Big Red in the fourth to claim a 13-12 nailbiter on Saturday afternoon at the Class of 1952 Stadium. Cornell slipped to 2-2 (0-1 Ivy), while Princeton improved to 3-0 (1-0 Ivy) in the Ivy League opener for both teams.

McGahan had 13 saves in the middle two periods as the Big Red rallied from a 6-2 deficit to go up 12-9 with 8:12 left in the third. McKenzie Blake's horn-beating goal with two seconds left in the third swung the momentum and began a 4-0, game-ending run by the Tigers to claim the victory.

Ellie Mueller tied the game with 10:20 left, with Kate Fulham's rocket shot on the free position with 7:46 remaining put Princeton in the lead for good. The Big Red pressed to find the equalizer in the back half of the fourth, but could not find the goal it needed. McGahan made three saves during the period, keeping the Tigers within a score.

Amanda Cramer scored three goals, Katie Castiello had two along with an assist, and Genevieve DeWinter and Josie Vogel each scored twice for the Big Red.

After struggling at the draw circle in its 2-1 start, the Big Red dominated the Tigers, winning 21-of-29 draws with seven coming from Katie Thomas, six from Cramer and four from Hilary Hoover. That wasn't able to overcome a 14-2 Princeton edge in 8-meter attempts, including five free position scores. Two of those came in the fourth during the Tiger rally.

Kyla Sears and Ellie Mueller both had three goals and an assist to lead the Tigers, with four other players posting multiple points. Kari Buonanno caused four Big Red turnovers with four ground balls, a goal and an assist. Sam Fish made eight saves in goal in the victory.

The home team ran out to a 6-2 lead early in the second, but the Big Red answered with five straight to take a 7-6 edge. Though Princeton scored the final two goals to take a lead into halftime, the tone was set.

The teams alternated scores in the third with the Big Red knotting the score at 8-8 on a Shannon Brazier score, and 9-=9 four minutes later when Amanda Cramer scored the first of two consecutive scores, the second giving Cornell a 10-9 edge. Cornell tacked on goals by Josie Vogel and, 48 seconds later, Genevieve DeWinter, to go up 12-9 with 8:12 left in the third. The Big Red wouldn't score again over the final 23:12.
 

NEXT UP

• Cornell welcomes Central New York rival Colgate to Schoellkopf Field on Wednesday, March 9 at 5 p.m.
•  The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
• Though the Big Red has a 33-15-1 lead in the all-time series, the Raiders snapped a 20-game losing skid the last time the two teams met,11-8 on March 3, 2020 in Hamilton.