ITHACA, New York – The Marist women's lacrosse team fell to the Cornell Big Red, 18-13, on Wednesday evening. The two teams fought throw snow and cold temperatures, but Cornell was able to use an extended 11-3 run at the end of the first half to secure a lead they would not relinquish the rest of the way, despite a late comeback attempt by Marist.
With the loss, the Red Foxes fall to 0-3 on the season, dropping all three games on the road thus far. Meanwhile, the Big Red Improve to 2-0 on the season with the victory.
- Cornell kicked off the scoring, as Ellie Walsh found the back of the net at the 22:50 mark in the first half to take a 1-0 lead.
- After the Big Red tacked on another goal, the Red Foxes answered with two goals of their own less than a minute apart, from Samantha Mehalick and Kelly George, to even up the score at 2-2.
- Cornell responded with an extended 5-0 run, to take a 7-2 lead, which forced Marist to call timeout with 11:51 remaining in the first half.
- The Big Red outscored the Red Foxes 6-3 the rest of the first half, and took a 13-5 lead into the locker room at halftime.
- Cornell scored the first goal of the second half, giving the Big Red their largest lead of the day at nine goals.
- The Red Foxes responded with three straight goals, one from Kerri Gutenberger and two from Alexandra Di Chiara, to Cornell's lead to 14-8 at the 19:10 mark of the second half.
- The Big Red were able to withstand Marist's run, and answered it with three goals of their own, including two from Caroline Allen, to take a 17-8 lead.
- The Red Foxes scored five of the next six four goals, but it was too late to complete a comeback. Cornell went on to win 18-13.
- Mehalick and Di Chiara each had three goals, pacing the Red Fox offense.
- Devon Connolly also had three points, tallying two goals and an assist. She also had a team-high three ground balls.
- Mehalick had a team-high seven draw controls.
- Romy Villemure had an excellent all-around game, as she scored two goals, dished out an assist, caused two turnovers, and collected five draw controls.
- Delaney Galvin totaled 10 saves in the game.
- Allen had a game-high seven goals for the Big Red. Grace Paletta chipped in four goals and an assist.
- Cornell outshot Marist, 38-28. The Big Red also went 21-22 in clears, while the Red Foxes went just 14-21.
- Marist is now 0-2 in the history of the program against Cornell. With the first loss coming last year by a nearly identical score, 18-12.
- Villemure set a new career-high with her five draw controls. Her two goals also matched her career-high.
- Mehalick's seven draw controls were a career-high.
- The hat trick was the first as a Red Fox for Di Chiara.
- Gutenberger's goal at the 23:08 mark in the second half was the first of her collegiate career.
- The Red Foxes will return to Poughkeepsie for their home opener on Saturday, February 22, in which they will be hosting Rutgers.
- The game is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. at Tenney Stadium.