ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Cornell field hockey team made its long-awaited debut at the new Marsha Dodson Field a memorable one, earning a 2–0 victory over No. 17 Yale on Friday afternoon in Ivy League action. The Big Red improved to 5-0 (2-0 Ivy), while the Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the season to slip to 5-1 (1-1 Ivy).

Sophomores Blake Wilks and Uma Käding each found the back of the cage for the Big Red. Senior goalkeeper Jane McNally posted four saves to record her third shutout of the year.

Wilks opened the scoring in the 17th minute, collecting a ricochet off a shot by Georgia Kelly on a penalty corner and converting from close range. Käding doubled the lead early in the third quarter, tipping in a feed from Rease Coleman to put Cornell up 2–0.

The Big Red outshot Yale 14–11 and held a 10–8 advantage in penalty corners. Amelie Schwarzkopf made four saves in goal for the Bulldogs.

The win capped a historic day for Cornell, which hosted its first-ever varsity competition at the new Marsha Dodson Field on Rufus Drive.
 

QUOTABLE

"I've been part of a few field openings in my career, and there's usually an emotional letdown - but today was an emotional high. We played really good hockey, showed class in every department, and thoroughly deserved the win against a really, really good Yale team. I give our group a ton of credit for staying focused and delivering on a day that meant so much to this program. We're incredibly grateful for the opportunity to play on this field - and now, we move forward." -- Andy Smith, Head Coach of Cornell Field Hockey

GAME NOTES

• The win over No. 17 Yale was the program's first against a top 20 opponent since defeating then-No. 13 Syracuse 2-1 in double overtime on Oct. 15, 2023.
• Cornell's 5-0 start matches its best since 2009 (7-0).
• The Big Red has won nine of its last 10 contests dating back to last year.
• Sophomore Uma Käding's fifth goal of the season ties Annabel Cheveley for the team lead.
• Sophomore Blake Wilks netted her second goal of the season and the fourth of her career.
• Senior Rease Coleman registered her third assist of the season and the 12th of her career.
• Senior Georgia Kelly posted her fifth assist in her career.
• Cornell now owns a 32-13 (.711) record at home under head coach Andy Smith.
• The Big Red has now outscored opponents 16-3 this season.
• Senior goalkeeper Jane McNally registered her second solo shutout of the season and lowered her goals against average to 0.60.

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