ITHACA, N.Y. — Cornell Big Red women's lacrosse delivered a statement in its home opener Sunday, racing past No. 24 James Madison Dukes, 12-8, on Schoellkopf Field.
Cornell seized control early, outscoring JMU 5-0 in the opening quarter and never relinquishing momentum en route to its first ranked win of the season.
"I am really proud of the team for coming out prepared and just attacking their challenge today," said The Karin Bain Kukral '82 Head Coach of Women's Lacrosse Jenny Graap. "To take the lead 5-0 in the first quarter just felt incredible and we never looked back."
The Big Red extended the lead to 8-2 at halftime and maintained command throughout the second half. The quarter-by-quarter scoring reflected Cornell's consistency: 5-0, 3-2, 2-2 and 4-2.
Despite a rain-snow mix swirling through Ithaca, the conditions played little factor.
"We were thinking about the rain-snow mix and how that might impact the game," Graap said. "But honestly, it was not a problem at all. We've been practicing in snow and sleet for a while, so it wasn't an issue for us."
Cornell held advantages in shots (23-13), shots on goal (17-9), ground balls (18-14) and draw controls (12-10), while forcing a season-high 14 turnovers. The 18 ground balls also marked a team high through three contests.
No. 4 Ella Wilmot paced the offense with three goals. No. 5 Emily Iacobellis, No. 23 Kathleen Michaud and No. 32 Ellie Bergin each added two, while No. 3 Gretta White, No. 10 Lexie Tully and No. 17 Cameron Traveis scored once apiece. No. 25 Holly Newman dished out four assists.
Defensively, No. 26 Caitlin Tully anchored a cohesive zone unit, finishing with four caused turnovers, five ground balls and four draw controls.
"Caitlin Tully had a monster day," Graap said. "Between the four caused turnovers, the five ground balls and four draw controls, she's really emerging. As a two-time captain and a leader out there for us, she's showing everyone just how fit and strong she is."
Graap also credited the collective effort of the defensive unit.
"When they're on like that and they're in sync, it's really powerful," she said. "They work on a string together. Sarah Burlingame and Ashley O'Brien (Assistant Coaches) are a big reason for that and how they've been working with the team."
In goal, No. 44 Mackenzie Clark played 58:06 and allowed eight goals on nine shots on goal.
Through the first three games of this season, Ellie Bergin leads the team with seven goals, while Caitlin Tully paces the squad with eight caused turnovers and seven ground balls and is tied with No. 14 Addy Smith with seven draw controls.
After a dominant start and disciplined finish, the Big Red protected home turf — and announced themselves as a force early this season.
The Big Red will return to action this Saturday, February 28 vs. Penn State at home on Schoellkopf with a 3 p.m. start time.
