Penn women’s soccer defeats Cornell in a final push for an Ivy victory

For the Quakers it seems as though history really does repeat itself. 

On Saturday afternoon, Penn (2-8-6, 1-3-3 Ivy) secured its first — and last — Ivy win of the season against Cornell (3-9-4, 2-5 Ivy) with the decisive goal scored by senior forward Janae Stewart. This replicates the events of the previous season with Penn’s sole Ivy League victory occurring against Cornell as well. 

This season Penn has been plagued by a lack of offensive outcomes but have been able to compensate with its strong defense. 

“Our team defense has really been pretty spectacular throughout Ivy play, and we have really given up very, very few goals,” coach Krissy Turner said. 

Cornell came into the match fighting, with an aggressive offensive possession to start the game. The Quakers displayed an alteration in its typical formation, with Turner making the decision to push the wingbacks far up the pitch in an effort to inspire offensive success. 

Both teams were unable to find any offensive footing early on in the game as each defense refused to budge. Cornell employed an aggressive high press in hopes to counter this, resulting in a free kick for Cornell, but the Big Red came away with nothing to show for it. Another shot was fired by Cornell in the 36th minute which was handled comfortably by junior goalkeeper Annabel Austen. 

Freshman forward Lily White and junior forward Anuli Okafor attempted to start an offensive movement for the Quakers, but they were met with a strong Cornell defense. 

Austen was a key player throughout this game as she effectively responded to a variety of Cornell shots as well as coordinated the defense around her throughout. She was aided in this endeavor heavily by freshman defender Eden Veenema who employed a lot of defensive screens throughout the first half. Long shots, headers, and dangerous openings in the box all met their demise at the hands of Austen. 

“I think Annabel Austin had a phenomenal game, and the three in front of her [were] incredible,” Turner said. “[They worked to] really minimize their opportunities and helped to seal the victory”. 

Neither team received any clear offensive openings in the first half, despite the possession being almost entirely Cornell’s. Penn’s few offensive opportunities were marked by a free kick by senior defender Maya Leschly, whose presence was utilized all over the field during this game, and a prevalence of long throws in attempts to create openings that were likely chosen due to Penn's size advantage over Cornell. 

The Big Red ramped up the offensive intensity with the end of the first half looming, and a close shot off a corner kick followed by another quick shot within the box almost threatened the scoring stalemate. It was apparent that whichever team capitalized on the few offensive opportunities available would ultimately take home the victory.

“I think that there were times when we solved [Cornell’s pressure] really, really well, which allowed for us to build out and create some opportunities," Turner said.

The second half was marked by an uptick of Penn offensive pressure. Penn's first shot of the game, which ricocheted powerfully off the crossbar, took only a minute after the second half began from senior forward Kat Peroulas. In the 56th minute, sophomore forward Taylor Ferraro made an opening for herself and let the ball fly, only for it to end up on the far side of the netting. Nonetheless, it was clear that something had shifted for the Quakers.

Penn's search for a goal was aided by another notable shift in formation as the Quakers fielded four wingers in the game at one time. Penn looked to capitalize on two hopeful shots from senior forward Isobel Glass in the 65th and 67th minute, but both slightly missed, one to the right, and one too high. 

A string of Cornell shots on goal ensued around the 70th minute, leaving Austin little time to recover. However, she expertly defended one after another. This defensive momentum continued until the 79th minute when the Quakers were finally able to capitalize offensively. Senior forward Janae Stewart received an almost-perfect, left-side cross from freshman midfielder Mia Maltby, and she was able to bury the ball in the lower left corner off her right foot for her first score of the season. 

Continued dominance by Austen in goal was all that the Red and Blue needed to close out the game for their first Ivy League win of the season.

As the Penn win dashed Cornell’s playoff dreams, the Quakers left the game victorious, a rare feeling these past months. As the season comes to a close, Penn will look to continue to improve offensively in the offseason, chasing growth among their young team.