VESTAL, N.Y. – The Big Red's contest against Binghamton on Wednesday night featured two of the top goal scorers in the country, but it was a Cornell defender getting his first career goal that sparked the Big Red to a victory.

Sophomore Peter Chodas blasted a shot from well outside the penalty box into the top left corner of the net, giving the No. 24 Big Red a 1-0 lead in the 26th minute that it would eventually balloon into a 5-0 victory against the Bearcats on their home field.

Chodas' goal came off a corner kick by Daniel Haber that went into the box and was headed out by a Binghamton defender. The header landed perfectly for Chodas, and he launched the ball over the Bearcats' goalie for the first goal of his career and what would prove to be the game-winner.

Cornell (6-0) remains undefeated with the victory over Binghamton (3-5), and Chodas' strike helped the team set the school record for consecutive games with a goal at 22. Cornell's 1970-71 teams had previously scored goals in 21 straight games more than 40 years ago.

The Big Red's scoring didn't stop with Chodas, though, as Haber earned his nation-leading eighth goal of the year just three minutes after Chodas started the scoring and 16 minutes after Binghamton goalie Stefano Frantellizzi made a phenomenal save on an equally terrific Haber shot.

Haber, who was tied with Binghamton's Jake Keegan with seven goals on the year entering the contest, broke that tie decisively in the 26th minute and again in the 69th. Getting the ball in the penalty box, Haber spun with possession and moved around Frantellizzi. With an open net, Haber didn't falter and increase Cornell's lead to 2-0.

“I remember from freshman year that this was a very hostile environment, so we were definitely getting pumped up to play,” Haber said. “Both my goals happened from great team effort all the way up the field.”

Haber played the role of helper on the Big Red's third goal, taking a long ball pass all the way to the end line before stopping, cutting back and crossing into the box. Streaking in for the header goal was Tyler Regan, scoring his first of the year in front of his parents who made the trip from Philadelphia. Regan merely had to nudge the ball in the right direction, as a wide open goal was all that stood in front of him.

Haber made it two goals on the night in the 69th minute, taking a nifty through ball from senior midfielder Nico Nissl and tapping the ball past Frantellizzi when he went down to make a save. Haber's goal – his ninth of the year – equaled his total from all of 2011 in 10 fewer games.

Matt Kagie got in on the action just 83 seconds later, heading the ball over Frantellizzi and a Binghamton defender as they collided trying to make a defensive play. Kagie's goal was the second of his Cornell career and capped the scoring for the evening.

Wednesday night was the first five-goal game for the Big Red since Sept. 22, 2001 against Adelphi.

The Big Red was able to get playing time for multiple different players as the night wore on. Matt Mardesich saw his first action of the season, while Aaron Oder, Tyler Conway, Sanath Shettigar, Simba Meki, Skyler Erickson, Ian Panzica and Devin Morgan all made it onto the field.

Rick Pflasterer also had a great night in net, making two saves. The defense in front of him was superb as well, allowing the Big Red to earn its fourth shutout of the season and get sophomore goalkeeper Zach Zagorski some playing time.

“The defense played great,” Pflasterer said. “We had good pressure all the way up the field and did the right things to come up with the win.”

Cornell returns to action with a home game at 4 p.m. on Saturday against St. Joseph's.

---

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

ECNL Girls N. Atlantic Players to Watch

Women's NCAA Tournament Round Two Preview

Best of Men's College Soccer Week 13