ITHACA, N.Y. - The Cornell women's ice hockey team defeated the Rochester Institute of Technology 5-2 on Tuesday night at Lynah Rink. The Big Red improved to 8-3-2, while the Tigers dropped to 7-7-3.

Mckenna Van Gelder (two), Ashley Messier (two), and Karel Prefontaine scored Big Red goals in the contest. Gabbie Rud (two), Avi Adam (four), Prefontaine, Messier, and Lindzi Avar were credited with helpers. Five Cornellians recorded multiple points in the game.

The Big Red out-shot the Tigers on-goal in the first-period by five, but couldn't make any of those count. Both teams also had an opportunity on the power-play to no avail. RIT utilized shot-blocking to keep the game even in the first period, as they blocked seven of the Big Red's 21 total shots in that frame.

Cornell continued its high pace in the second-period, and was able to find the back of the net twice. Van Gelder opened up the scoring by sneaking the puck through the five-hole. Prefontaine dealt the next one to Messier who doubled the lead with a power-play marker.

The Big Red added to its lead 29 seconds into the third period, when Rud and Adam found Van Gelder. The Tigers battled back, notching a pair of goals in a matter of 33 seconds on the power-play. Jordyn Bear was the 3-on-5 goal-scorer, followed by Linda Rulle who registered the 4-on-5 tally to bring the score to 3-2.

The Big Red closed the door on a Tiger rally-attempt when Prefontaine and Messier scored back-to-back goals on the power-play to put the game on ice. Annelies Bergmann earned 10 saves, including a couple of key stops on RIT breakaways. With the win Bergmann improved her record to 8-3-2 on the season.

Special teams proved to be a major catalyst in the Big Red's success against the Tigers. Four of Cornell's five goals came on the power-play. The Big Red also killed-off three of RIT's five power-play opportunities.

Next Up
The Cornell women's ice hockey team will return to the ice on Tuesday, December 31 against the Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers. Puck drop is slated for 2:00 p.m. at the Gene Polissini Center. Game action will be broadcast on FloHockey.