Cornell’s women lit up the scoreboard against another nonconference foe Saturday afternoon in a 19-12 lacrosse victory over Illinois Tech at Van Metre Field at Ash Park.
The Rams turned in their fourth consecutive game with at least 15 goals scored – all wins – and improved their impressive season record to 8-1.
Senior India Smith fueled Cornell’s attack with a career-best eight goals, six coming after intermission as the Rams outscored the Scarlet Hawks (2-6) by an 11-6 margin over the final 30 minutes.
Smith came within two goals of the program’s single-game record, set by current teammate Cece Zanoni last season. Smith also had one assist, four ground balls and four draw controls.
Anna Methe matched her career high with five goals, to go with one assist. Zanoni delivered three goals and four assists, while Sabrina Ibanez also scored three times. Meg Lewis chipped in two assists.
Hannah Miech and Kathryn Andries each worked one half at goalie and combined for 10 saves.
The Rams were in a tight 9-7 game with Illinois Tech early in the third quarter before pulling away with a 6-1 spurt that spanned into the fourth period. Methe and Smith both scored twice during the game-breaking run.
Earlier in the week, Cornell had an 18-2 victory over Culver Stockton. The match also was Zanoni’s 100th career goal with the Rams in her 40th game. Zanoni achieved the feat on her fourth goal Tuesday with 38 seconds left in regulation.
Cornell kept the scoreboard operator busy in the early going against the Wildcats (2-3), striking for eight first-quarter goals and padding the margin to 10-0 with 13:20 left in the opening half before the continuous clock came into effect.
Smith started her big day with a pair of goals in the initial two minutes. The reigning Midwest Lacrosse Conference Defensive Performer of the Week finished with six goals and two assists, boosting her team-high goals total to 33 for the spring.
Ibanez tallied four goals and two assists. Methe scored three times and Lewis once for the Rams, who attempted 19 of their 29 shots before intermission.
First-year Madelyn Sheets led the Rams with five ground balls and three caused turnovers. Lewis won seven draw controls.
The Rams led 14-0 before the Wildcats finally scored with 2:32 remaining in the third quarter. Miech worked 45 minutes to earn her seventh win of the season. Andries allowed one goal in the fourth period.