ITHACA, N.Y. — The Cornell women's polo team rallied from a four-goal halftime deficit with a dominant third chukker to top Marlan Farm, 12-11, on Saturday evening at Oxley Equestrian Center. The win opened the Big Red's 2025-26 campaign at 1-0.
Trailing 7-3 at intermission and 8-3 early in the second half, Cornell surged with nine of the next 11 goals to seize control.
Naomi Marlough powered the comeback with six goals, including a key two-pointer in the third chukker that swung momentum the Big Red's way.
"We started out quite slow, but we haven't had too many practices under our belts just yet, and I also think some of it could be attributed to first-game jitters. Each chukker was progressively better than the last. We certainly have a ways to go and the team and I recognize that."
Lara Chong netted three goals for the Big Red, while
Samantha Iahn scored two in the second half of her first collegiate game, while Cornell was credited with one pony goal in the victory.
Marlan Farm had an eight-goal effort from Izzy Brockett, with Mya Quarcoopone scoring three.
"It's always an intense and extremely challenging game against Cornell Polo's alumnae Kelly Wells and her Marlan Farm team" Condo said. "They have been an absolute powerhouse in girls and women's polo for such a long time, and it's amazing to finally get a win against her squad. She has around 18 USPA National Interscholastic Championships to her credit, with a few of those coming with an Open Division team, but by and large she takes young, aspiring polo playing girls and turns them into amazing students, players and champions in the sport. For our team to win was huge."
"We will really be tested against some really great Intercollegiate teams this coming week at the UVA Invitational in Charlottesville. I am quite excited for this young team to prove yet again that they continue to be among the nation's best," Condo said.
Cornell begins the UVa Fall Invitational when it meets the winner of UVa and Kentucky on Friday, Oct. 24 at 4 p.m. in Charlottesville, Va. The consolation game is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26, with the championship finals at 1 p.m. that same day.
