After winning for the first time early last week, the Red (1-6-0) struggled in a pair of 2-0 losses to Marist (4-3-0) and Hartford (7-0-1) over the weekend. Cornell takes its lopsided record into Tuesday’s contest with La Salle, its last before beginning conference play. Ivy contests begin on Frida when the Red faces Columbia at home.
On Friday, Marist took advantage of a yellow card to go ahead just 44 seconds into to the second half, 1-0. The Red Foxes drove the free kick towards the goal and headed it in for the goal. The Red registered seven shots in the game, compared to Marist’s 10, but was unable to put any home.
Hartford entered Sunday’s match against Cornell undefeated, and left the battle with that mark still in tact. It was a very physical match, featuring a total of 30 fouls and seven yellow cards — five on the Hawks and two on the Red. The teams finished the contest even in shots, but Hartford struck first on a 40-yard top-corner strike just 2:12 into the second half.
The common theme in both contests was surrendering early second half goals, something the Red will try to improve upon against La Salle. The Explorers (5-0-1) are a strong team — the only in women’s college soccer that has yet to surrender a goal this season. Led by goaltender Mellissa Sanger, who is tied for the lead in all-time shutouts at La Salle with 16, the Explorers are on a streak of four straight shutout victories. The squad also has formidable scoring power, which was evident in a victory over Rider, 4-0, and a win over Albany, 3-0. The Red will look to get on the board early to push the momentum in its favor.
Fatigue will also be an obstacle for Cornell, as Tuesday’s match will be the team’s fourth game in the past six days. Nevertheless, the Red hopes to improve its game and post an upset victory before beginning conference play on Friday.
Original Author: Ben Horowitz