In the first women’s ECAC Hockey playoff game at the historic 1980 Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid, No. 11 women’s hockey fell 7-2 to Yale.
The Red (20-11-2, 14-7-1 ECAC) appeared outmatched throughout Friday afternoon’s contest, unable to handle the Bulldog’s forecheck and struggling to keep Yale (24-8-0, 16-6-0 ECAC) off of the scoresheet.
“I don't think we played one of our better games from this year,” said head coach Doug Derraugh ’91. “It was the wrong day to not play one of your better games.”
The loss marks the final game of the 2025-2026 season as the Red will not earn a berth in the NCAA tournament.
The Breakout Game
The first period saw the Bulldogs dominate the breakout game. The Red struggled to exit its defensive zone — rimming pucks up the wall directly to Yale forecheckers — leading to extended periods of offensive zone time for the Bulldogs.
In contrast, after brief stints in its own defensive zone, Yale was able to break out cleanly and navigate the neutral zone. This was best evidenced by Yale’s first goal, which came on the power play. Barely contested through the neutral zone, the Bulldogs gathered steam and entered the Cornell offensive zone with speed, leading to the team’s first tally of the afternoon with just under six minutes to play in the first period.
Additionally, on Yale’s second goal of the game, a failed Cornell clearance led to 30 seconds of offensive zone time for the Bulldogs, which culminated in the go-ahead tally that put Yale up 2-1 entering the second period.
“I'll give them credit; they're really patient,” said senior defender Sarah Maceachern. “They play their system well, so give Yale credit for that. I think we could have done a better job trying to attack their defense using our speed.”
It was clear that the Red needed to introduce a more aggressive forecheck and tighten up the breakout game heading into the second period.
Signs of Promise
The second period was a tale of two halves. The first half saw Yale continue its dominance. Similar to the first period, Yale commanded play and forced multiple odd skater rushes.
On the second goal of the period — Yale’s fourth of the afternoon — two Red players were caught puck watching. A wake-up call was needed, and the Red got the message.
The final ten minutes of the middle frame saw the Red finally establish an offensive zone presence, cycling the puck from low to high and firing shots on Yale goaltender Samson Frey. The first-year netminder stood strong, saving all 12 Cornell shots in the second period.
“I thought the second half of the second period into the third period we carried a lot of the play,” said Derraugh. “And I thought we had a good chance to make a comeback there.”
Despite several grade-A opportunities, the Red headed to the locker room facing a 4-1 deficit. A late goal to cut the lead to two would have provided much-needed momentum. Cornell would need to come out desperate in the third period — its season was on the line.
The Back-Breaker
Just over a minute into the third period, junior forward Delaney Fleming cut the Bulldogs’ lead to two. And, it looked like the Red was primed to mount a comeback. After killing off a Yale skater advantage, the Red got a power play of its own.
However, it would be Yale that took advantage of the Cornell power play. Caught flatfooted at the blueline, the Red let up a two-on-none rush and Yale’s Stephanie Stainton fired home a one-timer off of a cross-crease feed from Jordan Ray.
The goal put Yale ahead 5-2 and reduced the chance of a Cornell comeback to near-zero.
“In the third period, when we got it to 4-2, and we had the power play, that was the turning point, giving up that shorthanded goal," said Derraugh. “To give up that fifth goal, I think that obviously hurt.”
For the rest of the period, the ice seemed tilted as Cornell stared down the daunting lead Yale had amassed. Adding two more tallies on an empty netter and a goal in the waning seconds, the Bulldogs cruised to victory and earned a berth in the ECAC championship game.
Eli Kwait is a staff writer for the sports department. He is a member of the Class of 2029 in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. You can follow him on X @EliKwaitand reach him at ekwait@cornellsun.com.
