ROCHESTER, N.Y. - The no. 7-ranked Cornell women's ice hockey team defeated the RIT Tigers 5-1 on Tuesday afternoon at the Gene Polisseni Center. The Big Red improved to 9-3-2, while the Tigers dropped to 9-8-3.

Delaney Fleming, Ashley Messier, Lily Delianedis, Mckenna Van Gelder, and Piper Grober registered Big Red goals in the contest. Delianedis (two), Fleming, Grace Dwyer (two), Van Gelder, Gabbie Rud, and Avi Adam were credited with assists. Annelies Bergmann collected 13 saves.

The opening period was played closely by the Big Red and the Tigers. The Big Red skated off the rust from its month-long hiatus and got its skates under them mid-way through the stanza.

Fleming scored her third goal of the season with just over one minute remaining in the first period to put the Big Red ahead 1-0. That lead did not last long as the Tigers responded to even the score up with 18 seconds to go in the first period.

Messier netted the puck early in the second period to put Cornell back in front 3-1. RIT Delianedis made the Big Red woman-advantage count 14 minutes into the second to extend the lead to 3-1.

The third period progressed eirely similar to the first matchup, with both teams being assessed with a slew of penalties. Cornell began the third period with a critical penalty-kill to maintain a two-goal advantage. Kyla Bear of the Tigers was then booked for a major-penalty, giving Cornell a  woman-advantage for five minutes. That briefly came to an end when Messier was given a minor-penalty.

Van Gelder was the first to take advantage, pushing the count to 4-1. Moments later, Cornell and RIT would back and forth earning minor-penalties, eventually leading to a three-on-three. Gober found the games final tally during the four-on-three to seal the victory and help Cornell escape the Gene Polisseni Center with a season-sweep over RIT.

Just as the first contest played out, special teams played a major role in the outcome of the game as Cornell netted a pair of woman-advantage tallies, while killing-off four RIT opportunities.

Next Up
The Cornell women's ice hockey team will return to the ice this Friday and Saturday for a road ECAC Hockey series against upstate New York foes Clarkson and St. Lawrence. Game action will be broadcast on ESPN+.