ITHACA, N.Y. — Cornell Women's Polo (1-0) grabbed its first win of the 2024-25 season against Skidmore on Sunday. The Big Red defeated the Thoroughbreds 15-8, which included a second half comeback.

"This was a great season-opening win for our women," said Peter B. Orthwein '68 Head Coach of Polo, Anthony Condo Jr. "In addition to some valuable saddle time for our returning lineup, we are looking to incorporate first-year student Naomi Marlough (Hotel '28) into the lineup to see where she fits best, and to get her some early-season experience playing at the collegiate level."

Marlough led Cornell's scoring efforts with eight goals on the day which is the most goals scored by a freshman in their collegiate debut in Cornell polo history. Isabelle Braden scored five goals on the day and Ava Ramachandran scored two.

The first half served as an adjustment for Cornell as they got used to a new team and challenges that arose.

Condo said, "Any time that you find yourself on new horses and playing in an opponent's arena, there will be challenges that must be overcome and that can lead to some jitters. This is  particularly the case so early in the season." 

The Big Red started the scoring on the day, however they were losing 5-4 in a back and forth battle at halftime after a late second quarter goal by Skidmore's Ella Peterson put the Thoroughbreds in the lead. 

Coming out of the half, the Big Red had to make some adjustments in order to regain the lead and secure a victory."

 "Our team did a great job adjusting as the game wore on," said Condo. "In the end we were starting to find our flow within the game, as well as 4-for-4 shooting on Penalty 2's and 3's to close out the contest."

The adjustments made led Cornell to victory as Marlough scored five goals in the third quarter and the Big Red notched another six in the fourth quarter, ending the game with a scoreline of 15-8.

Condo was pleased with the performance saying, "Overall I am very proud of our team for grinding out this hard-fought victory, and I am so excited for this season.  After last year's 3rd place finish at the USPA DII National Tournament, this team is looking to build on that success in 2024-25 and to go even further into the postseason."

FIRST QUARTER

• Braden and Marlough scored the first two goals of the game back-to-back putting Cornell up 2-0 early in the first quarter.

• Skidmore then came back with two back-to-back goals of their own from Georgia Polk and Peterson, tying the game at 2's going into the second quarter.

SECOND QUARTER

• The second quarter began with a goal from Braden, her second of the day.

• Skidmore's Polk then answered with a second goal of her own. Tying the game at 3's.

• Shortly after, Tamar Azulay scored putting Skidmore up 4-3.

• Ramachandran then scored her first goal of the night, continuing the back and forth play and evening the score at 4's.

• Right before the end of the first half, Peterson was able to score once again, putting the Thoroughbreds up 5-4 at halftime.

THIRD QUARTER

• The third quarter started with a hat-trick by Marlough that put Cornell in the lead 7-5.

• Skidmore answered with one goal of their own making the game a one goal difference at 7-6.

• Marlough then notched another two scores for the Big Red making the score at the end of the third quarter, 9-6 in favor of Cornell.

FOURTH QUARTER

• The fourth quarter began with Braden, Marlough and Ramachandran scoring back-to-back-to-back, extending Cornell's lead to 12-6.

• Peterson scored for Skidmore inching the Thoroughbreds closer to the Big Red with a scoreline of 12-7.

• Braden notched another goal making the score 13-7.

• Peterson answered once again, tallying another score for Skidmore. 

• Marlough and Braden each scored one more goal at the end of the fourth quarter securing the victory for Cornell with a score of 15-8.

Cornell women's polo will be back in action on Friday, October 18 at 7 p.m. as they take on the Central New York Polo Club at the Oxley Equestrian Center.