Stickwomen Top Cornell

"We had people in front of the net. People who were hungry." Coach Edie MacAusland

The women's field hockey team finally discovered its offense in their 4-2 victory over Cornell yesterday afternoon in Ithaca. The win ups the Crimson record to 2-3-1, 1-1 in the Ivy League.

For the first time this season, the stick-women made the most of their scoring opportunities, using the open players at the net. "The front line of Martin, Pew, Mainelli, and White added the scoring punch we've been looking for," MacAusland said.

Forward Katie Martin scored two goals, as the stickwomen posted their first Ivy League victory in over a year. Martin, who has been an offensive standout all season, leads the team in scoring with five tallies.

Harvard got on the scoreboard first. With 7:55 left in the first half, link Ellen O'Neil brought the ball upfield, penetrated the Big Red defense and made a perfect pass to Martin, who was waiting in front of the goal to push the ball by the Cornell goalie.

Less than 4 minutes later, Lilli Pew notched her first goal of the season off another O'Neil assist, and the half closed with the Crimson up 2-0.

Midway through the second half, Harvard put the ball in the Cornell net again. Pew fed the ball to Martin, who was standing just inside the circle, and Martin slammed it in.

Cornell scored on a short corner shot, but the Crimson came right back with a tally of its own. The Big Red did manage to score one last time, but it was too little too late.

The defense continues to be the team's strength. Cornell pressured throughout the contest, but amazing saves by goalie Juliet Lamont and fine defensive play by sweeper Beth Mullen kept the Big Red's scoring under control.

With both the defense and the offense in good shape, the stickwomen are gearing up for a tough week in which they must face B.C., Springfield, and Dartmouth. But with this turnaround victory, MacAusland said, "We're on our way."