Cornell men’s lacrosse used a dominant second quarter to defeat Hobart 19-8 in a nonconference matchup Tuesday evening at Schoellkopf Field.
The Big Red improved to 3-0 on the season, while Hobart dropped to 1-3. Cornell built an early advantage, leading 5-2 after the opening quarter before breaking the game open with a 7-1 run in the second period to take a 12-3 halftime lead.
Willem Firth paced Cornell with four goals and four assists, finishing with a game-high eight points. Bowie Horsman added three goals, while Ryan Goldstein and Jaden Ciappara each recorded three-point performances. Ryan Waldman also scored twice as 11 different Cornell players found the net.
Cornell controlled possession throughout, winning 21-of-31 faceoffs. Jack Cascadden went 12-for-18 at the faceoff X with six ground balls, while Michael Melkonian added eight wins and a career-high seven ground balls. The Big Red also held advantages in shots (44-27) and ground balls (36-21).
Hobart was led by first-year Gordon Bennett, who recorded his first collegiate hat trick. Tye Steenhuis scored twice, while David Peterkin and Connor DiTomasso each finished with a goal and an assist. First-year defenseman Colman Craft posted a game-high five caused turnovers. Goalkeepers Michael Johnson and Brady Smith split time in net, combining for eight saves.
Cornell goalkeeper Matthew Tully made seven saves in nearly 56 minutes of action.
Cornell hosts Richmond on Saturday, February 28, at noon, while Hobart returns home to face Canisius on Saturday, February 28, at 1 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].