ITHACA, N.Y. – As the saying goes, it’s better to be lucky than good. In its final non-conference game of the season Tuesday night, Cornell was plenty of both.

 

A terrific defensive effort all night was rewarded late when sophomore striker Daniel Haber received the gift of a poor goal kick and scored the only goal in a 1-0 Big Red victory against visiting Colgate.

 

With just eight minutes and change left in the contest, Colgate goalie Grant Reed played a low goal kick into his line of defenders. But instead of a Raiders player coming away with it, Haber made the first touch. He made two moves to the outside, and knowing he wouldn’t be able to sustain a breakaway against three defenders, fired on goal from 25 yards out. The ball skidded past Reed, and Haber took a celebratory bow as his teammates mobbed him.

 

Cornell (7-1-3) has now extended its unbeaten streak to 10 games, the longest such streak since Nov. 12, 1995. The Big Red ends its non-league games this season with a 5-1-3 mark and is currently on a three-game winning run. The team is now six games above .500 for the first time since Nov. 23, 1996, and coach Jaro Zawislan’s career winning percentage is as high as it has been since Oct. 13, 2009.

 

The win is also a great resume builder against a quality Colgate side for Cornell, who came into the night as the No. 5 team in the NSCAA Northeast Regional Poll. The Raiders (7-3-2) have had a great season and are No. 2 in the NSCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Poll.

 

Throughout the night, it appeared as though neither team was going to break through. Cornell wound up with a 15-8 shot advantage at the end, but both sides played an even match with excellent defending and solid midfield play. Forwards struggled to get free and make space, defenders were clearing most opportunities in the box, and only one corner kick was awarded all night.

The Big Red’s best chance at goal came in the first half on a throw-in by Jimmy Lannon. The ball bounced into the penalty box and Haber got a head on it near the far post, but his head went wide.

 

Colgate also had a few quality chances, including one in the early minutes when Jimmy McLaughlin settled the ball at the top of the penalty box and ripped a shot that sailed inches above the crossbar.

 

But in the end, the bounce went Haber’s way. The sophomore now leads the team with six goals and 16 points on the season. The goal against Colgate was his third game winner of the year.

Goalkeeper Rick Pflasterer had two saves and earned his fifth shutout of the season, dropping his already low goals against average to just 0.61. Tuesday night also marked the return of junior midfielder Nico Nissl, who played his first minutes since a Sept. 11 road tie against Hartwick. Nissl had two shots, including one on goal in the first half.

 

Cornell gets four full days off before facing Ivy League foe Yale in New Haven, Conn., for its next game on Saturday at 1 p.m. Both teams top the Ivy League with identical 2-0 conference records. At the end of the night, a winner would have the best record in the conference to itself.