Yale Tops Cornell 3-1

October 18, 2019

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Yale men’s soccer team put on a show in front of a national television audience on ESPNU Friday at Reese Stadium. Jeremy Haddock, Mark Winhoffer and Miguel Yuste each scored as the Bulldogs rolled to a 3-1 victory over Cornell on Alumni Day.

Yale, ranked No. 23 in the nation by College Soccer News and No. 24 by the United Soccer Coaches, is 3-0 in Ivy League play for the first time since 1991 and is unbeaten through 11 games for the first time since the 1935-36 team enjoyed a perfect 12-0 season.

“This was another gritty performance against a good Cornell team that has wins over Michigan State and Akron this year,” said Kylie Stannard, The 5K Corral Head Coach of the Bulldogs. “It’s a huge three points and great to take care of business at home.”

Once again, it didn’t take long for the Bulldogs to seize control. Before many viewers had even settled into their easy chairs, Yale had a 1-0 lead thanks to Haddock’s goal at 1:22. It came off a corner kick. Sigfus Arnason sent a perfect cross to the back corner that Haddock headed home.

“We started on the front foot aggressively, which we always want, and scoring early is always a huge boost to help us settle,” Stannard said.

The goal was actually 24 seconds later into the game than last Saturday against Dartmouth when Yale scored first just 58 seconds in.

Another set piece gave the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead at 23:34. This one came on a free kick by Winhoffer, who fired a shot from just outside the top of the box over the wall and into the back of the net.

The Big Red (7-4, 1-2 Ivy) pulled to within one on Vardhin Manoj’s goal late in the first half. There were a few more anxious moments for the Bulldogs until Yuste’s goal at 69:47. Winhoffer sent a free kick into the box that was headed away by a Cornell defender. The deflection came to Yuste, who took a couple of dribbles and fired a shot into the top corner from the wing.

“After the second goal, I thought we lacked some energy, and I was very disappointed to let Cornell back into the game going into half,” Stannard said. “We regrouped at halftime, and I thought we responded well and came out more focused and energized. Once we got the third goal, we managed the game pretty well and our defending and goalkeeping did great to close out the game.”

Elian Haddock finished with seven saves for the Bulldogs, who entered the game ninth in the nation in goals against average.

Yale faces another stiff challenge on Monday. The Bulldogs travel to defending national champion Maryland. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.

“We need to rest and recover quickly for a great test at Maryland,” Stannard said.