W. Soccer Nips Big Red Behind Stauffer Goal

In the end, a muddy field was not the only strike against the Cornell women's soccer team on Saturday.

The rainy conditions that marred Saturday's game between Harvard and Cornell at Ohiri Field were not enough to keep Harvard from extending its unbeaten string to six games, as the Crimson won, 1-0. Co-captain Emily Stauffer emerged as the game's hero, heading in the winning goal in the 60th minute. CORNELL  0 HARVARD  1

"I don't think the weather had much of an effect except maybe to make our legs a little tired, but then it made their legs a little tired also," said junior mid-fielder Beth Zotter.

Harvard (6-2-1, 4-0 Ivy) dominated the game right from the start, firing off five shots in the game's first six minutes. Through the first half of play, Harvard kept the ball on the offensive end due largely to the efforts of sophomore back Ashley Marynick, co-captain midfielder Devon Bingham at midfield and junior sweeper Jessica Larson. Accordingly, junior goalie Anne Browning went relatively unscathed by the Cornell attackers, recording only two saves for the game.

Big Red keeper Meghan Cauzillo on the other hand had a very busy day. Harvard rained in a total of 21 shots on goal compared to the three shots attempted by Cornell (2-6-1, 0-3-1).

As time in the first half dwindled down, the Crimson created a few exciting opportunities off a breakaway by Stauffer at 10:00 and a corner kick with 3:42 left to play, but Cauzillo again came up with the saves to keep the game close into the second half. She totaled nine saves on the day.

The Crimson refused to let a second- half downpour hinder its play. In the 60thminute, junior Ashley Berman beat her opponent andbrought the ball to the endline, where sheexecuted a beautiful cross to Miller.

Miller slid into the ball enough to launch itup by the far post where Stauffer was position fora header; she struck it solidly into the left halfof the net, evading Cauzillo. Her goal gaveHarvard a 1-0 lead, a narrow margin but one fromwhich Cornell would never recover.

The goal was Stauffer's second of the season,although she has five assists.

"It was really exciting to put one in bymyself, but anyone will tell you I'm the worstheader on the team," Stauffer said. "I couldn'thave scored without great assists from Ashley[Berman] and Naomi [Miller]."

Berman and Miller were credited with assists onthe play, and Miller still leads the points with10 on the season.

After the goal, Cornell never regained itscomposure. Despite an egregious seven fouls by theCrimson, the Big Red failed to convert on any ofits free kicks.

In addition the Harvard bench was solid asusual. Senior Brynne Zuccaro was back for herfirst game this season in the backfield, andfreshman standout Jenine Ghani showed hustle atmidfield.

With this win, coupled with last week's defeatof Penn, Harvard seems primed for its fourthconsecutive Ivy League title.

"Each successive game has given us a chance toup our level of play, and I was so impressed bythe girl's performance today," said Wheaton, whowon his 102nd career game at the Harvard helm. Heis one of 25 active Division I coaches with 100career victories.

If there was any negative about yesterday'swin, it was Harvard's continued inability toconvert its scoring chances into goals. Against aweaker opponent, Harvard expectedly took 21 shots,but only one reached the back of the net.

"I think one of our problems is that we'relooking to pass first and shoot second," Zottersaid. "Because our first option is to pass, ourbody position isn't right, and our shots aren'tdangerous, powerful shots. We do a really good jobof keeping possession, but we do such a good jobthat we're always looking to pass."

Even with its offensive woes, Harvard's defensehas been strong enough to keep it undefeated inthe Ivy League. The Crimson has allowed more thanone goal just once this season, a 2-1 loss to PennState in the second game of the season.

The Crimson now sets its sights on the HarvardInvitational this weekend, where it will faceNortheastern on Friday George Mason on Sunday.

The Sunday match-up has some history: at the1997 NCAA tournament, the Crimson won a hardfought three-overtime grudge match in which Millersent in the winning goal.

After a mid-week match with power-houseConnecticut, Harvard resumes its league schedulethe following weekend at Princeton.

HARVARD, 1-0 at Ohiri Field

Cornell  0  0  --  0Harvard  0  1  --  1

Scoring

Har--Stauffer (Berman, Miller) 59:55.

Saves: Cor--Cauzillo 9; Har--Browning 2.CrimsonPaul S. GutmanPOSSESSED: Senior back ASHLEYMARYNICK, threatened by a Cornell defender,maintains control of the ball.

Miller slid into the ball enough to launch itup by the far post where Stauffer was position fora header; she struck it solidly into the left halfof the net, evading Cauzillo. Her goal gaveHarvard a 1-0 lead, a narrow margin but one fromwhich Cornell would never recover.

The goal was Stauffer's second of the season,although she has five assists.

"It was really exciting to put one in bymyself, but anyone will tell you I'm the worstheader on the team," Stauffer said. "I couldn'thave scored without great assists from Ashley[Berman] and Naomi [Miller]."

Berman and Miller were credited with assists onthe play, and Miller still leads the points with10 on the season.

After the goal, Cornell never regained itscomposure. Despite an egregious seven fouls by theCrimson, the Big Red failed to convert on any ofits free kicks.

In addition the Harvard bench was solid asusual. Senior Brynne Zuccaro was back for herfirst game this season in the backfield, andfreshman standout Jenine Ghani showed hustle atmidfield.

With this win, coupled with last week's defeatof Penn, Harvard seems primed for its fourthconsecutive Ivy League title.

"Each successive game has given us a chance toup our level of play, and I was so impressed bythe girl's performance today," said Wheaton, whowon his 102nd career game at the Harvard helm. Heis one of 25 active Division I coaches with 100career victories.

If there was any negative about yesterday'swin, it was Harvard's continued inability toconvert its scoring chances into goals. Against aweaker opponent, Harvard expectedly took 21 shots,but only one reached the back of the net.

"I think one of our problems is that we'relooking to pass first and shoot second," Zottersaid. "Because our first option is to pass, ourbody position isn't right, and our shots aren'tdangerous, powerful shots. We do a really good jobof keeping possession, but we do such a good jobthat we're always looking to pass."

Even with its offensive woes, Harvard's defensehas been strong enough to keep it undefeated inthe Ivy League. The Crimson has allowed more thanone goal just once this season, a 2-1 loss to PennState in the second game of the season.

The Crimson now sets its sights on the HarvardInvitational this weekend, where it will faceNortheastern on Friday George Mason on Sunday.

The Sunday match-up has some history: at the1997 NCAA tournament, the Crimson won a hardfought three-overtime grudge match in which Millersent in the winning goal.

After a mid-week match with power-houseConnecticut, Harvard resumes its league schedulethe following weekend at Princeton.

HARVARD, 1-0 at Ohiri Field

Cornell  0  0  --  0Harvard  0  1  --  1

Scoring

Har--Stauffer (Berman, Miller) 59:55.

Saves: Cor--Cauzillo 9; Har--Browning 2.CrimsonPaul S. GutmanPOSSESSED: Senior back ASHLEYMARYNICK, threatened by a Cornell defender,maintains control of the ball.