The No. 24 University of Maine field hockey team (4-1-0) traveled to Burlington, Vt., the home of the University of Vermont Catamounts, to take on the Cornell Big Red (3-0-0) in a neutral site game, on Sunday afternoon. After 70 minutes of battling, the Black Bears fell short, losing 3-2. The last time these two teams faced off was in 2015, where the Black Bears fell to Cornell 2-0.
Redshirt fourth-year Emma Cochran started in net for the Black Bears, making four saves. This was her fifth start of the season. Fourth-year Kelly Johnson started in goal for the Big Red, making 11 saves. This was her second start of the season.
Cornell struck first off of a goal by fourth-year Sam McILwrick off an assist from fourth-year Katie Carlson at the 7:51 mark in the first half. The Big Red struck again at 15:28 in the first half off of a goal by third-year forward Isabel Siergiej, assisted by third-year midfielder Gabby DePetro and fourth-year midfielder/back Isabel Josephs.
The Black Bears finally answered back at the 19:32 mark in the first half. Third-year back Samantha Wagg scored off of a penalty corner, assisted by third-year midfielder Libby Riedl and third-year back Emily Hindle. The Black Bears answered again with yet another goal at the 23:27 mark off of a penalty corner from Wagg, assisted by Riedl and Hindle. Both goals were Wagg’s fourth and fifth of the season. Riedl notched her sixth and seventh assists of the season, while Hindle notched her third. Riedl is ranked No. 19 in the NCAA for assists per game, with one per game.
After 35 minutes of the play, the Black Bears and the Big Red were all tied up at two a piece. At the half, the Black Bears led Cornell in shots on goal, 5-3. Three minutes into the second half, the Big Red retook the lead off a goal from fourth-year forward, Krysten Mayers, scored off an assist from McILwick at the top of the circle to put Cornell up by one.
With five minutes remaining in the game, Maine pulled their goalie for the extra field player, hoping it would spark an equalizing goal. Maine ended up outshooting the Big Red, 13-7, but it simply wasn’t enough to beat Cornell.
The Black Bears are back on the field Sunday, Sept. 17, in Hanover, N.H., to take on the Dartmouth College Big Green. The game is scheduled to start at 12 p.m. and can be streamed live. The Big Red will be back in action Friday, Sept. 15 at home to take on Rutgers University. The game is scheduled to start at 5 p.m
