Despite a lackluster offensive output, according to Cornell head coach Donna Hornibrook, the Red scored early and held on for a 2-0 victory at home against Maryland-Baltimore County yesterday, in the first meeting between the two teams. While the Red (8-4, 4-1 Ivy) held a 14-3 edge on shots on the day, the scoreboard did not reflect the teams’ control of the match throughout.
“We weren’t particularly pleased with our performance today,” Hornibrook said. “We did a good job moving and passing the ball, but did not get a lot of production out of it. For the next game, we need to work on our attack inside the 25-[yard line] and on our scoring opportunities.”
Over the last couple of games, the Red had been focused on, and was successful in, setting the tempo and tone of the match by getting an early lead. This game was no different as freshman Alyssa DePaola scored unassisted to put the Red up by one just a minute and a half into the game. It was DePaola’s team-leading seventh goal of the season and the third time she scored the eventual game-winner.
The Retrievers’ (2-11) only substantial scoring opportunity on the day came about 15 minutes into the first half when senior attacker Katie Catchall had a breakaway opportunity that was subsequently denied by sophomore goalie Lizzie Goldblatt. That would be Goldblatt’s lone save on the day, as the Red’s defense provided all the remaining support needed for the team’s second shutout of the season.
“Getting a shutout is a big deal,” Hornibrook said. “Our whole team had a solid defensive effort. Our midfield and backs did a good job moving the ball and we were able to really set the tone.”
The Red would maintain its one-goal lead throughout the remainder of the first half and into the second, until sophomore Lizzie Auer redirected a pass from senior co-captain Natalie Serle for an insurance goal at the 55:40 mark. It was Auer’s third goal on the season and the fifth assist for Serle.
After yielding seven penalty corners against Bucknell last Tuesday, UMBC was held without any opportunities, as the Red held a 6-0 advantage on the day.
“We seemed to be more poised today, as we gave up a lot of unnecessary corners against Bucknell,” Hornibrook said. “We did a super job defensively today, giving up no penalty corners and only one dangerous scoring opportunity. To go through a whole game and not give up a penalty corner says a lot.”
The Red will look to continue its three-game winning streak against Colgate tomorrow at Schoellkopf Field. During the streak, the Red has outscored its opponents by a 7-2 margin.
Archived article by Jon Hausner
Sun Staff Writer