LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Bucknell scored in each of the first three quarters and slowed down a relentless Cornell attack, topping the Big Red 3-1 on Sunday afternoon at Graham Field. The Bison improved to 4-0 to open a season for the first time since 1984, while Cornell fell to 1-1.
Cornell dominated for much of the first half but couldn't find the back of the cage, and Bucknell made their limited chances count. Julia Corropolese opened the scoring on a direct penalty corner at 16:50 off assists from Bella Notaro and Brooke Parker, the first penalty corner of the game for either team. Despite a 9-3 shot advantage, the visitors went into the break trailing by a goal.
Elodie Nevitt made it 2-0 early in the third period, finishing unassisted just over five minutes in after a scramble in front of the goal netted her first career score. Six minutes later, the Big Red got back within one on a scrappy finish from senior Julia Ramsey off a penalty corner. She banged home a loose ball after Bucknell goalkeeper Sarah Althouse made two initial saves in the circle. Cornell seemed to have momentum and was buzzing for the equalizer, but Notaro converted a blast from the left side seemingly out of nowhere off an assist from Juliana Serafin with just over five minutes to play that restored the two-goal cushion and sealed the win.
Cornell held a decisive statistical edge, out-shooting Bucknell 20-9 and winning the penalty-corner battle 9-5, but the Big Red couldn't solve Althouse, who made 11 saves. Uma Käding led Cornell with six shots, while Rebecca Block added four. Martha Broderick made three saves in goal for the Big Red.
Cornell closes out the holiday weekend when it visits Lafayette on Monday, Sept. 7 at 6 p.m. in Easton, Pa.
