ITHACA, N.Y. — Cornell used a balanced offensive effort and a strong defensive showing to defeat St. Bonaventure 12–6 on Wednesday afternoon at Schoellkopf Field in the first meeting between the two programs.
Eight different Big Red players found the back of the net as Cornell improved to 4–3 on the season.
Cornell struck first midway through the opening frame when Dillyn Patten finished a feed from Sorelle Lawton at the 12:07 mark to put the Big Red ahead 1–0. Just over a minute later, Gretta White doubled the lead with a goal off an assist from Ella Wilmot.
St. Bonaventure answered with a pair of goals later in the quarter to even the score, sending the teams into the second period tied at 2–2.
Cornell took control in the second quarter, outscoring the Bonnies 5–1 to build a commanding halftime lead.
Ellie Bergin opened the run with a goal off a pass from Lilly Whaling at 14:42 to restore the Cornell advantage. White added her second of the afternoon less than three minutes later, followed by back-to-back unassisted goals from Lexie Tully and Kathleen Michaud that stretched the lead to 6–2.
After St. Bonaventure trimmed the deficit, White capped the half with her third goal with 56 seconds remaining, finishing a setup from Whaling to give Cornell a 7–3 lead at the break.
The Big Red added to their lead early in the third quarter when Emily Iacobellis converted a player-up opportunity off an assist from Michaud at 2:56, pushing the score to 8–4 entering the final period.
Cornell maintained control in the final quarter. Iacobellis opened the scoring with an unassisted goal at 12:29 before St. Bonaventure answered with two late scores.
The Big Red closed the game with three goals in the final three minutes, beginning with Holly Newman finishing a pass from Wilmot at 2:51. Madeline Pohmer added an unassisted goal seconds later, and White completed her four-goal performance with a final tally in the closing minute to seal the 12–6 victory.
Gretta White led all scorers with four goals, while Emily Iacobellis added two. Dillyn Patten, Lexie Tully, Madeline Pohmer, Kathleen Michaud, Holly Newman and Ellie Bergin each scored once, marking the third game this season Cornell has had eight or more different goal scorers.
Wilmot and Whaling paced the offense with two assists apiece, while Michaud and Lawton each added one.
In goal, Mackenzie Clark recorded 12 saves to anchor the Cornell defense.
Ella Wilmot, Caitlin Tully and Mackenzie Clark led the Big Red with three ground balls each, while Holly Newman, Julia Ramsey and Ava Butz finished with two apiece. Sisters, Caitlin Tully and Lexie Tully, led the defensive strike with two caused turnovers each.
Cornell controlled the draw circle, holding a 14–6 advantage, and finished with edges in total shots (37–23) and ground balls (21–15).
Cornell will return to action Tuesday, March 17, when the Big Red travel to face Boston University. Opening draw is scheduled for 12 p.m. in Boston.
