HANOVER, N.H. – The Cornell women's soccer team closed out its 2025 season campaign on Saturday evening with a 2-1 loss to Dartmouth at Burnham Field, finishing the year at 5-7-4 overall and 2-5-0 in Ivy League play.

"Proud of the overall performance, while disappointed in the outcome and in some of the moments in our play," head coach Rob Ferguson said after the match. "We have learned the hard way throughout this season that we have to be more clinical in and around both boxes."

The Big Red controlled much of the first half, dictating possession and pinning Dartmouth back for long stretches.

"In the first half we were the better team," Ferguson noted. "We possessed the ball well, we exploited the space where we thought it would be and we penned the game in the attacking half for long spells. Amanda Polyniak and Ella Koschineg both attacked well from deep and the movement and work-rate through the team was excellent."

Dartmouth emerged from halftime with renewed energy, catching Cornell on their heels. Frankie Valverde broke through in the 58th minute to open the scoring, and just 99 seconds later, Emmanuella Frimpomaa finished off a feed from Lourdes Lauterborn to make it 2-0.

"We raised the alarm at halftime that Dartmouth would come out more aggressively and they did," Ferguson explained. "Between that hesitancy defensively and some poor giveaway, Dartmouth were able to get in front. It's safe to say we want both those moments back and we expect more from the team in those moments."

Cornell showed character in response, with Ferguson adjusting personnel and formation. Junior forward Emily Gibbons pulled one back in the 79th minute, and the Big Red pushed hard for an equalizer down the stretch.

"At 2-0 we made changes to personnel and the system and we played really well to finish out the game," Ferguson said. "We took gambles. Kept people higher and passed the ball very well, deservedly getting a goal and coming close to toeing it up."

The Big Red were outshot 11-6 on the afternoon and managed just four shots on goal to Dartmouth's three. Goalkeeper Natalie Medugno made three saves in the full 90 minutes, while Dartmouth's Ola Goebel turned away four Cornell attempts.

"It's always a sad day when a season ends, and with it the careers of a senior class who have put so much in to the program," Ferguson said. "But the team has made big strides for the program this year, and we are excited for the future."