ITHACA, N.Y. – With a 12-0 advantage in shots after the first half, it seemed only a matter of time before Cornell broke through and scored against visiting Long Island. It took more than an hour, but sophomore Stephen Reisert’s first college goal broke a scoreless tie in the 62nd minute, sending the big Red to a 2-0 win against the Blackbirds at Berman Field on Friday night. The win, part of the CU Inaria Classic weekend tournament, was the team’s first of the season.

 Reisert’s goal came during a long stretch of dominance for Cornell (1-1-2), when possession was entirely in the Big Red’s favor and the ball rarely was coming out of the Long Island (1-2-2) defensive zone. Reisert, standing about 30 yards from the net on the right side of the field, decided to take a chance at goal. With multiple players standing in the box ready to receive a cross, Reisert instead shot for the far post and the ball found the back of the net.

 Energized after getting the initial strike for the first time all season, Cornell did not let up. Just eight minutes later, junior forward Tyler Regan made a blazing run down the right side of the field. All the Blackbirds’ defender could do was tackle Regan inside the box, and the referee awarded the Big Red a penalty kick.

 Sophomore forward Daniel Haber calmly stepped to the penalty spot and placed the ball high and right to give Cornell its 2-0 final score. The goal was Haber’s second of the year.

 When the final whistle blew, the statistics strongly supported the product on the field. Cornell outshot Long Island by a stunning 24-3 margin including an 8-1 advantage in shots on goal. Big Red keeper Rick Pflasterer had little work to do in earning his first shutout of the season. Cornell also won the corner kick battle, taking nine to the Blackbirds’ three.

 In the early going, it looked like Cornell might once again suffer from complete domination in the game but a lack of finishing prowess. Just two minutes into the night, Patrick Slogic had a chance on net thanks to a Jimmy Lannon throw in, but Slogic’s header went right to Blackbirds keeper Nathan Stockie. Later in the period, Regan received an excellent pass from a teammate, but his open shot was saved by Stockie.

 As the second half began, the Big Red put on extra pressure and seemed ready to score at any moment. Six minutes into the half, only the goalkeeper stood in front of Haber, but Stockie was equal to the shot, sliding on his back to stop Haber’s chance. Four minutes after that, a Reisert cross went into the box and was deflected multiple times before ultimately going wide.

 But in the end, Cornell broke through and got the win it needed. The starting back line of Peter Chodas, Jake Rinow, Kyle Parsons and Slogic played an excellent contest, cutting off Long Island passes and not letting the Blackbirds forwards get deep into their offensive zone. Midfielder Ben Williams also helped with the defending in the middle, not allowing the ball to get to Long Island forwards. Freshmen Matt Altebrando and Atticus DeProspo also got their first career starts in the game, contributing in the midfield and in the attacking areas, respectively.

 Cornell takes the field again Sunday at 1 p.m. against visiting Hofstra for both teams’ final game of the CU Inaria Classic. In the night’s other game of the tournament, Hofstra won 1-0 on the road at Colgate. Sunday’s winner will be declared tournament champion. In the event of a tie, Cornell will win the tournament on goal differential.

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