Match Recap
On Saturday, the Cornell women’s soccer team secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Penn at Rhodes Field, overcoming a halftime deficit to enhance their record to 5-5-4 (2-3-0 Ivy League).
The Quakers opened the scoring in the 17th minute with Abbey Cook finding the net. However, Cornell regrouped at halftime, making tactical adjustments that would pay off in the second period.
Junior forward Sydney Allen equalized in the 54th minute with a precise strike from the right corner of the penalty area. Just ten minutes later, Brooke Brown scored the decisive goal, converting a rebound after sophomore Raya Leikin’s shot hit the post.
Cornell dominated the second half, registering 11 shots compared to just 2 for Penn, and a total of 20 shots throughout the match.
“Proud of the team,” stated head coach Rob Ferguson. “They put in an excellent performance under must-win pressure and executed the game plan very well.”
In the first half, Cornell controlled the flow of play but lacked sharpness in the final third. At halftime, Ferguson adjusted the midfield by adding sophomore Ivy Tolbert as a second holding midfielder, which improved their possession and limited Penn’s counterattacking opportunities.
“The adjustment allowed Ella Koschineg and Raya to get forward more and increase our threat in the final third,” Ferguson noted. “The team executed the adjustments well and we felt in control throughout the second half.”
Ferguson also commended both of the second-half goals, calling Allen’s equalizer a “wonderful strike,” and described the buildup to Brown’s goal as “terrific – great patience and movement from our attack.”
Penn’s attacks were effectively neutralized in the closing stages, with Cornell maintaining pressure and creating additional chances. Senior goalkeeper Natalie Medugno matched her season high with four saves, improving her record to 3-2-0 overall.
The defensive line, including seniors Izzy Scott and Gaby Gonzalez, along with midfielder Abigail Bishara and Tolbert, contributed significantly by securing the back end of the game.
Match Notes
- This matchup marked the 34th meeting between Cornell and Penn. The Big Red snapped a nine-match winless streak against the Quakers.
- The victory was Cornell’s first road win over Penn since September 16, 1995, and marked their highest win total since the 2016 season.
- Sydney Allen became the first Cornell player to score four goals in a season since Laken Gallman achieved five in 2022.
- Cornell’s three road victories this season ties their highest total since 2016.
- The Big Red ended a 23-match winless streak when conceding the first goal in a match, and it was their first comeback win under Ferguson when trailing at halftime.
- Cornell is now 11-5-3 under Ferguson when scoring multiple goals, with a perfect record of 3-0-0 this season.
- The team improved to 5-0-4 when allowing one goal or fewer and is 4-2 in one-goal matches this year.
Next Up
Cornell will return home to Berman Field to host Brown University on October 25, with kickoff set for 1 PM. This match coincides with Senior Day.
Brown enters the match with an impressive unbeaten record in the last 15 encounters with Cornell (14-0-1), having won the most recent 13 contests. The last time Cornell triumphed over Brown was on October 26, 2008.
