Box Score ITHACA - The University of Pennsylvania field hockey team opened Ivy League play with a 1-0 victory over Cornell.

Penn came out determined to start their Ivy League campaign with a strong performance. The Quakers broke down the field and Kelsey Mendell hit a one-time pass to Alexa Schneck in the circle. Schneck recieved the pass and placed it low and to the goalies right to put Penn in front on the first shot of the game.

The Red and Blue continued to attack the Cornell goal, but keeper Maddie Henry did well to prevent Penn from extending its lead. 

Ava Rosati came up with a big save of her own off a Cornell corner. Penn took the next four shots of the game, three coming from freshman Juila Russo, but were unable to extend their lead. 

Penn entered the half leading Cornell 10-2 on shots and a 5-1 advantage on corners. 

Penn entered the second half and earned a quick short corner. Erin Kelly fired a shot on goal but Henry again prevented the Quakers from extending their lead. Cornell earned a corner minutes later, but Rosati came up with another big save to keep Cornell off the scoreboard. 

The Quakers' defensive unit absorbed pressure from the Cornell offense, backed by four second half saves from Rosati, to maintain their 1-0 lead for the rest of the game. 

This was Penn's fourth straight win over Cornell, and fourth straight year opening conference play with a win.

The Quakers won't have much time to celebrate this victory, as they travel to Syracuse to play the 12th ranked Orange - their fifth game against ranked opposition this season - tomorrow at 1 p.m.