SCHENECTADY, N.Y. - The no. 4-ranked Cornell women's ice hockey team defeated the Union Garnet Chargers 2-1 on Saturday afternoon at Messa Rink. The Big Red improved to 19-4-4, while the Garnet Chargers dropped to 12-19-1 on the season. With the victory, Cornell only needs an equal result (or better) with second-place Colgate on Friday to clinch the ECAC Hockey regular-season title.

Mckenna Van Gelder and Karel Prefontaine registered Big Red goals in the contest. Gabbie Rud was credited for the lone assist in the game. Annelies Bergmann made 25 saves on the afternoon.

The Big Red and the Garnet Chargers played a back-and-forth affair in the opening period, with Cornell ultimately leading the shots total after one. Georgia Schiff was tagged for a hitting-from-behind penalty in the first stanza, but the Big Red continued its penalty-kill dominance on that occasion, holding the Garnet Chargers off of the scoreboard.

Four minutes into the second period, Cornell was called for another penalty, this time sending Rud to the box for a hooking-infraction. Maddie Leaney made that one count for Union, giving the Garnet Chargers their second 1-0 lead on the weekend.

The Big Red chased the equalizer during the final stanza. Cornell struggled to find the tally it needed in the opening half of the frame, until Rud chipped the puck forward to Van Gelder who tied the game up at 1-1. Less than one minute later, the Big Red earned its first lead of the game when Prefontaine found the back of the net on her signature toe-drag.

The Garnet Chargers attempted one final rush by pulling its standout net-minder Sophie Matsoukas. Union would manage a handful of shots toward the net, but none would find pay-dirt as Cornell would skate away from Messa Rink with a much-needed victory over the Garnet Chargers.

Next Up
The Cornell women's ice hockey team will welcome Ivy League foes Brown and Yale to East Hill this weekend as the Big Red will look to win the ECAC Hockey regular-season title. Game action will be broadcast on ESPN+.