ITHACA, N.Y. -- No. 7 Stanford used a 7-0 run and a stifling second-half defensive effort to hold off Cornell 11-7 on Sunday afternoon at Schoellkopf Field. The Cardinal improved to 7-1 on the season, while the Big Red fell to 5-2.

Senior Caitlin Slaminko scored four goals and Maggie Pons scored twice and assisted on another, but it was the Big Red defense that gave itself a chance. Cornell caused 18 turnovers, including five from junior Caitlin Tully. Tully added five ground balls as the Big Red held a 22-18 edge off the ground. The two teams split 22 draw controls right down the middle, with the Big Red holding a 24-19 edge in shots.

Lucy Pearson was a difference maker in goal, making 12 saves, causing a turnover and winning five ground balls around the cage for the visitors. Several of her saves came on point-blank shots by the Big Red, allowing Stanford to keep Cornell off the board for nearly 36 minutes of game time before Slaminko netted her fourth of the night with just 37 seconds left. 

Cornell was in control for a majority of the first half, leading 3-2 after the end of the first quarter and going up 6-4 midway through the second on Pons' second score of the day. Just 22 seconds later Stanford got back on the board when Elise Murphy found Maddigan Miller to cut the Big Red lead in half. That triggered a 7-0 spurt, including three goals apiece by Ava Arceri and Aliya Polisky. By the time the dust settled, the two-goal Big Red lead was a five-goal advantage for Stanford.

Pearson had seven of her goals after halftime and five in the fourth quarter alone to keep the momentum with the Cardinal. Murphy (one goal, three assists) joined Polisky (three goals, one assist) with four-point days for Stanford.

NEXT UP
• The Big Red steps back out of conference when it welcomes Binghamton to Schoellkopf Field on Tuesday, March 18 at 5 p.m.
• The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
• Cornell leads the all-time series between the programs 10-1 after last season's 15-7 Big Red victory in Vestal, N.Y.
• The Bearcats claimed their first and only win over Cornell in 2023 in Ithaca, 13-12.