Kirk Helps Cornell Get Even in Ivy
from press release
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Junior midfielder Katie Kirk
scored three times and senior Libby Johnson found the back of the
net twice as the Cornell women's lacrosse team evened its Ivy
League record at 1-1 with a 9-7 triumph at Columbia on Sunday
afternoon at Robert Kraft Field. Cornell remained unbeaten against
the Lions all-time in improving to 2-3 (1-1 Ivy). Columbia slipped
to 1-3 (0-2 (Ivy).
Kelly Lang and Jessi Steinberg each had a goal and combined for
nine draw control wins for the Big Red, while Caroline Salisbury
notched a goal and an assist. Cacki Helmer caused a pair of
turnovers to spearhead a defensive charge that saw the visitors
allow a season-low goals total. The goalkeeper tandem of Kyla
Dambach (four goals, one save) and Courtney Gallagher (three goals,
one save) split time in goal.
Taylor Gattinelli scored three goals for the Lions, while Kacie
Johnson notched two goals and an assist. In goal, Karlee Blank kept
the home team in the game with six saves. On the defensive end,
Caroline Seery had game highs of four ground balls and three caused
turnovers.
Cornell scored the first goal just 35 seconds in and never trailed,
though the Lions tied the game two times (1-1, 2-2). The Big Red
controlled the game throughout, out-shooting the Lions by a sizable
34-14 margin, but could never pull away despite having a dominant
15-3 edge in draw controls and a 13-12 advantage in ground
balls.
The Big Red led by as many as four goals (6-2) after a 4-0 run,
including three straight goals in a span of 1:22. but the Lions
answered. Three straight goals, including two in the final 49
seconds of the half, brought the home team back to within 6-5. The
squads traded scores to make it 7-6, but Kirk and Johnson extended
the lead to 9-6. The Lions netted a late one with 1:14 left to cut
it to two, but the Big Red won the ensuing draw and ran out the
clock for the win.
Cornell returns to action when it meets Notre Dame on Sunday, March
20 at 12 p.m. in Lutherville, Md. at St. Paul's School.
