Third-ranked Cornell weathered an early Spider infestation, fell behind by three in the fourth, and scored the game’s final four goals to edge No. 12 Richmond 12-11 on Sunday afternoon at Robins Stadium. Senior Michael Long’s game-winner improved the Big Red to 4-0, while the Spiders slipped to 3-1.
Trailing 11-8 with nine minutes to play, Long bookended a Big Red rally with classmates CJ Kirst and Hugh Kelleher also cashing in. Long caught the ball behind the cage and beat his defender straight out front where he buried his second of the day with 2:21 left to give the visitors their first lead of the afternoon.
The Big Red won the ensuing face-off and worked the clock, but Richmond’s Zach Vigue made his 13th save of the afternoon with a minute to play to give the home team the ball back. After a Richmond timeout, the Spiders put one shot off target and turned it over as time ran out.
CJ Kirst had three goals and an assist and Ryan Goldstein notched two goals and two assists to lead the offense, with Long and Kelleher scoring two apiece. Jack Cascadden won 16-of-23 face-offs with 10 ground balls to control possessions and Wyatt Knust made 14 saves in goal. Cornell overcame 19 turnovers by winning the battle on the ground (33-30) and dominating at the face-off circle (19-8).
Richmond led 6-1 early and seemed to be off and running, with Aidan O’Neil leading the way with two goals and two assists. Both Max Merklinger and Joe Sheridan scored twice with Merklinger adding an assist, while Lucas Littlejohn scored once and assisted on two others. The Spiders caused 12 turnovers in front of Vigue, who made 13 stops.
NEXT UP
• The Big Red begins a stretch of four home contests in a five-game stretch when it welcomes Penn State to Schoellkopf Field on Saturday, March 8 at 12 p.m.
• The contest will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
• The Nittany Lions hold a narrow 24-23 edge in the all-time series dating back to the first meeting in 1923.
• Penn State has won the two previous meetings, including a 20-9 triumph last year in University Park.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.