STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- For the third consecutive season, the Cornell field hockey team (2-0, 0-0 Ivy) started its season with consecutive wins when it held off Wagner (2-2, 0-0 NEC) 2-1 on Friday afternoon at Wagner College Field Hockey Complex in Staten Island, N.Y. The Big Red raced out to a 2-0 lead and held the home team at bay after the Seahawks got back within a goal with 13 minutes to play.

Aerin Park had six saves for the Big Red, as the defense held up despite the Big Red being outshot 15-7 overall and surrendering 11 penalty corners to just five for the visitors.

The Big Red opened the first quarter with intensity, coming inches from scoring just six minutes in when Caroline Ramsey took a shot off a penalty corner that Wagner goalkeeper Daisy Rhule got a glove on. Less than seven minutes later, senior forward Claire Jones led a Cornell breakaway, slotted the ball through the Wagner defense, and found Leahy who deflected the pass into the back of the net. Cornell led after one quarter of play, 1-0.
 

First collegiate goal ❗

Freshman Grace Leahy of the @CornellBigRedFH team scores her first collegiate goal against Wagner. Cornell leads 1-0 after the first quarter.

Tune in now on NEC Front Row!

📺: https://t.co/4Ophq1bMqU pic.twitter.com/J8kIV1cBBd

— Cornell Video (@CornellVideo) September 9, 2022

Wagner found its rhythm in the second quarter, tallying four shots compared to Cornell's one. Park notched back-to-back saves with 3:50 remaining in the quarter to keep the Cornell clean sheet. Wagner took four of the quarter's four shots and made Park corral three of them as the visitors went into the break up 1-0.

A back-and-forth third quarter didn't add anything to the scoreboard, but Cornell converted on a penalty corner early in the fourth to make it a 2-0 game. Ramsey, who led the team in goals with 19 a season ago, got on the board for the first time in 2022 after Bridget Mahoney and Natalie Stone combined for the successful operation.
 

After scoring 19 last year, it was only a matter of time before Caroline Ramsey got her first goal of 2022. This one on a penalty corner gives @CornellBigRedFH a 2-0 lead at Wagner. #YellCornell pic.twitter.com/SFat5gBjp6

— Cornell Video (@CornellVideo) September 9, 2022

The celebration didn't last long, as the Seahawks got a goal back just 16 seconds later, with Agustina DeHarbe depositing a feed from Julia Pastorino to cut the lead in half. Wagner would earn five penalty corners in the fourth and eight total in the second half, but couldn't find the equalizer. 

UP NEXT
Cornell hits the road to Albany, N.Y., where it takes on UAlbany on Sunday, September 11. UAlbany has opened its season at 2-2 and will face Colgate today, September 9th, including a victory over Ivy opponent Yale. The game will be streamed via NEC Front Row.