Bison field hockey beats Big Red; move to 3-2
By Eric Weiss
Writer
Continuing their winning ways from last year against the Cornell Big Red, the field hockey team defeated Cornell 3-2 in at Graham Field last weekend. After splitting a series the previous weekend, the Bison women were hungry to get back to a winning record in coach Jeremy Cook’s inaugural season.
Amanda Faust ’09 scored first on a penalty corner 6:33 into the game.
Corinne Raczek ’11 and Morgan Kauffman ’11 both assisted on the play.
“It was great getting on the scoreboard first on Saturday because it sparked our energy on the field and put Cornell into a physically and emotionally challenging position,” Katie Ruiz ’09 said.
Less than five minutes later, the trio struck again as Raczek and Kaufmann aided Faust in her third goal of the season and the 21st of her career.
This goal was a milestone for Faust as it places her on the Bison Field Hockey Top 10 leading scorers list.
A week before, Faust set the University record with 27 assists, breaking the nine-year-old mark by Jen Zimmerman ’00. For all her accomplishments the senior co-captain was named Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week and Damon’s Bison Athlete of the Week this past Monday.
The Cornell women scored with 10 minutes left in the first half, and the Bison carried a 2-1 lead into halftime.
The University received an insurance goal from Katie Ruiz, who took a pass from Faust and buried it into the back of the net.
Ruiz entered this season with only two assists but has come alive, already scoring three goals and two assists for the team. She has stepped up for the Bison and is expected to be one of the team’s anchors as the Bison begin Patriot League play.
Cornell sent a barrage of shots at goaltender Jessie Atieh ’10, attempting ten shots and ten penalty corners in the second half of play. Atieh was able to stop all but one shot—coming with under 10 minutes to play—and the Bison were able to secure a narrow 3-2 win.
The women will be on the road again to face La Salle College today in Philadelphia and Lock Haven University Sunday.
