ITHACA, N.Y. – The Cornell women's polo team opened its 2026-27 season with an 18-7 victory over Montana State on Saturday, Oct. 17, at Oxley Equestrian Center.

Sophomore Sammi Iahn led the Big Red with 10 goals. Junior Naomi Marlough added four, sophomore Eva Scott scored twice, and seniors Nephele Sarrinikolaou and Eleanor Reid each scored once.

Cornell took control early, scoring nine goals in the first chukker while holding the Bobcats scoreless. Iahn scored six of those goals, and Marlough added the other three.

Iahn and Marlough each scored once in the second chukker to push the Cornell lead to 11-2 at halftime. Montana State got on the board with two goals in the period.

The Big Red outscored Montana State 5-3 in the third chukker, with Iahn scoring three times and Scott adding two to make it 16-5. Sarrinikolaou and Reid then scored in the fourth chukker to close out the scoring for Cornell. Montana State scored two in the final chukker.

Luke Howe led Montana State with four goals. Tim Bedell added two, and Clare Bogart scored one.

"A solid start for our women, which also allowed for us to go deep into our bench," said Anthony M. Condo, Jr., Peter B. Orthwein '68 Head Coach of Polo. "It's important at this time of the year to try different lineups and player combinations so that we can continue to evaluate and develop team chemistry as the season progresses. The women are committed to retaining their USPA D1 designation for the upcoming postseason, and this certainly was a promising start in doing so."

Cornell (1-0) returns to Oxley Equestrian Center on Friday, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. to host the University of Maryland Polo Club.