PRINCETON, N.J. - The no. 20-ranked Cornell men's soccer team the Pennsylvania Quakers 1-0 on Thursday afternoon at Myslik Field at Roberts Stadium. The Big Red improved to 13-2-2 with the victory and will advance to its first ever Ivy League Championship game.
"I thought it was a very professional all-around performance from the guys. We did a good job keeping things tight at the back and managed to create some good looks on their goal in both halves.",
John Smith, the Dr. Daniel P. Wood Head Coach of Men's Soccer said.
Sergio Zapata was responsible for the Big Red goal in the game.
Adam Schaban was credited with an assist in the contest.
Ryan Friedberg made one save in the game, and produced his ninth shutout of the season.
"Serge [Zapata] did a great job capitalizing on his chance, and getting another clean sheet in a high stakes moment like that is a testament to Ryan's talent and the defensive work ethic of the 10 guys in front of him.", Smith added.
In a clash of styles between Cornell's high-octane hard-pressing style and Penn's pragmatic approach, the Big Red and the Quakers were poised for a classic match up in the semis of the Ivy League Tournament.
Five minutes into the contest, the Big Red were tasked with defending a dangerous Penn free-kick that was positioned slightly outside of the box. Fortunately for the Big Red, the shot from Joaquin Niehenke sailed wide. Cornell was awarded the game's first corner-kick of the contest 11 minutes in which led to a Big Red offensive push that was eventually halted by Falcon III.
Hovan tested the Penn net-minder with the first Big Red shot of the contest in 15th minute, but Falcon III stood to task in making the stop. Moments later, following a Big Red corner-kick Johnson produced a header attempt directly in front of the net but was denied by Falcon III.
In the 23rd minute, Cornell struck first when Schaban found Zapata streaking down the pitch for the opening goal of the Ivy League Tournament.
Eight minutes later, Schaban led the action again, this time in front of the net where he attempted a shot that was blocked and ricocheted back to Martin who nearly extended the lead when he fired the ball off of the right post. The Big Red stayed solid on the defensive-end in the opening frame, limiting breakdowns and controlling the ball. Friedberg was tasked with making one stop in the first half.
"Once we settled in we started too establish our game and created a few good looks, and it was a great finish from Sergio [Zapata], and we could have possibly had one more.", Smith mentioned. "It is a completely different game in the second half. We can't pat ourselves on the back and we need to just go out as if its 0-0 and try and win the second half", he added.
The Big Red came out and played a solid second half of clean defense. The Quakers managed four shots but none of those would test Friedberg. "The key thing coming out of the second half was that we don't want to lose the half and so its great that we tied the half which means we won the game. It was an excellent all-around performance", Smith concluded noted.
"To make the programs first Ivy League final, and we know no matter who it is we face it will be a formidable opponent.", Smith concluded with.
Next Up
The Cornell men's soccer team will return to the pitch on Sunday, November 20 at 11:00 a.m. for the Ivy League Championship game. The Big Red will meet the winner of Princeton and Harvard. Game action will be broadcast on ESPN+.
