Cornell’s women went virtually shot for shot with the defending Midwest Lacrosse Conference Tournament champions through three quarters Saturday before Lake Forest pulled away for an 18-10 victory at Van Metre Field at Ash Park.
The Rams saw their five-game winning streak snapped, while Lake Forest extended its current string to eight consecutive victories.
Cornell gained momentum with four goals in the third quarter, including a score by Brynn Miroslavich that brought the Rams within 11-9. The Foresters answered Cornell’s run with six consecutive goals to start the final period, building the margin to 17-9 with 7:44 left in regulation.
Senior India Smith had another terrific day, accounting for a game-high five goals on only nine shots. She also posted three caused turnovers.
Meg Lewis scored twice and assisted on another. Miroslavich, Cece Zanoni and Sabrina Ibanez contributed one goal apiece. Ibanez also had two assists.
Goalie Hannah Miech recorded 14 saves in a complete-game effort.
The Foresters, who led 8-5 at halftime, owned a 25-7 advantage in draw controls and attempted 42 shots, to Cornell’s 20.
Earlier in the week, the rams picked up a 8-3 win over Marian.
Zanoni broke the program’s career points record Wednesday night.
Zanoni scored two goals and assisted on another against the Sabres (2-7), increasing her points total to 137 in her 42nd game as a Ram. She overtook Sydney Cooper (134 points from 2015-18) for first place on Cornell’s all-time scoring list.
Zanoni also tied the program record for assists in a season with 20, established by Nina Deer in 2022.
The Rams, winners of five straight, reeled off five unanswered goals to finish the game, after the Sabres had tied it at 3-3 early in the third quarter. Miroslavich pushed Cornell ahead to stay with an assisted goal from Smith at the 5:43 mark of the third period.
Miroslavich and Anna Methe delivered two goals apiece for Cornell. Ibanez and Smith both scored once.
Smith and Ilsa Jeffery posted eight ground balls apiece, while goalie Hannah Miech totaled nine saves and six ground balls. Jeffery led the Rams with four caused turnovers.