The field hockey team is looking to keep its pristine record in conference play this weekend after two competitive matches last week.

The Red started at Columbia on Friday September 24th @ 3pm. Despite the grueling 95-degree weather, the Red came out on top, beating the Lions 3-2 in double overtime. Three different scorers contributed goals to the Red’s victory. Ivy League Rookie of the Week, Hannah Balleza scored the first goal of the game off of a penalty stroke in the nineteenth minute (19:23). Columbia answered with a goal soon after, making it a 1-1 game. Before the end of the half (30:41), freshmen Christine Hibler scored her first goal of the season off of a breakaway, slipping the ball past Columbia goalkeeper, Christie O’Hara. The Red kept a 2-1 lead for the majority of the second half, but the Lions found the back of the goal cage with less than five minutes remaining in regulation, (65:51) tying the game. The Red worked to take back the lead in the last few minutes, but couldn’t capitalize, sending the game into overtime.

The first overtime was a back-and-forth battle as both teams were feeling the extreme temperatures. After a scoreless fifteen minutes, the Red and Lions set up for a second overtime period. Three minutes into the period Catie De Stio scored the game-winning goal off of a corner, sending a direct shot past the goalkeeper. The Red is currently 2-0 in Ivy League play.

Sunday September 26th, the Red went on to play No. 3 University of Virginia. The game took place Homecoming weekend so field hockey alumnae returned to Marsha Dodson Field, as well as Cornell Pep Band.

Both the Red and the Cavaliers came off of double-overtime wins earlier in the weekend and demonstrated their endurance. Although the Red lost 5-2, the team put up a strong fight in the first half, keeping the score tied 1-1. However, Virginia took the momentum at the start of the second half and scored four goals in the first twenty minutes. Catie De Stio gave the Red a lift with less than four minutes remaining in regulation, scoring her second goal of the game.

Junior goalkeeper, Alex Botte had a strong game collecting 11 saves off of Virginia’s shots. The Red closed the weekend 5-2 for the season. Despite the loss on Sunday, the Red felt that there were strong moments of play and is looking forward to another competitive weekend coming up.

The field hockey team will play at home this weekend. The Red will meet Yale on Saturday October 2nd @ noon and St. Francis on Sunday @ 1pm.