The Cornell women’s lacrosse team (2-0, 0-0 Ivy) takes on Yale in its first Ivy League matchup of the season this Saturday in Ithaca, and the spotlight will be on senior captain Emily Tripodi, who has the chance to enter the chronicles of Cornell lacrosse history and become the all time assist leader for the women’s program.
The Red is already undefeated on the season, and ran through its first two opponents Villanova and the University of Albany — with strong performances from many players. Eight members of the team have scored in the first two matchups, and they are only getting better at playing together.
“We are starting to get our game chemistry down, which anybody would tell you is an essential piece to find in the spring,” Tripodi said. “Offensively we have players who are ready to produce, and we are tightening up our mental game and our skills to fulfill our potential.”
The team’s offensive squad has mainly stayed the same as last year’s, with senior Olivia Mattyasovszky and junior Amie Dickson leading the pack. Dickson, who was named an honorable mention Preseason All-American by Inside Lacrosse, is the current team leader with four goals.
However, after the team’s recent game in Albany, on the offensive side the attention will be focused on Emily Tripoli, who earned her 91st assist to tie the current Cornell record, held by Courtney Farrell ’08. One more assist will make her the lone record holder, and with the season just beginning, Tripoli has the chance to set a record that will stand for many years. The team has been supportive of their captain, with co-captain Brittany Marriott delivering some of the highest praises.
“I’m so so happy for and proud of Emily,” she said.” Her chance to make history this year breaking the assist record speaks volumes to her unselfish play. She is always looking to set up her teammates for success, and does a very amazing job of it.”
She is an excellent lacrosse player on top of all this.
“She’s a very talented player and a very great leader,” Marriott continued. “I’m very confident that she will continue to perform on the field and lead our offense to do great things this year.”
Even as she prepares to possibly make history in the matchup against the Bulldogs on Saturday, Tripoli remains focused.
“On a personal level, I am proud of this opportunity,” she said. “Being a senior in my final season, it feels great to be able to contribute to my team in positive ways. My teammates have been so great and supportive. I mean it when I say that I truly could not be surrounded by a better group of people.”
At a more basic level, the team just wants to earn its first Ivy League win on Saturday. Cornell will open up their Ivy season at home on Schoellkopf Field.
“Having family and friends in the stands is always an exciting experience,” Tripoli said. “Schoellkopf is also a really amazing stadium, and we are happy to call it our home turf.”
The Red will hope to earn a statement win against Yale on Saturday, and continue to compete at a high level, especially against Ivy opponents.
“As a team we have a lot of little goals we’ve set and we’ve set individual goals as players, but a big team goal that we are always striving for is to win an Ivy League Championship and make it to the NCAA tournament,” Marriott.
Play begins at 1 p.m this Saturday on Schoellkopf.