ITHACA, NEW YORK - Cornell (11-2-1) completed a dramatic comeback to defeat Brown (5-6-2) 2-1 on Saturday afternoon in Ivy League action. The Big Red extended their winning streak to four games while handing Brown their third consecutive loss.
Mateo Pereyra gave Brown an early lead in the 3rd minute, firing a low shot into the left corner. The match remained 1-0 until the 80th minute when Sam Latona equalized for Cornell off an assist from Aidan Martin. Adam Schaban then delivered the winner in the 87th minute, also assisted by Martin, sending the home crowd into celebration.
The first half saw Brown take control early through Pereyra's strike. The Bears' organized defensive shape frustrated Cornell's attack, though the home side generated several chances. Diego Elizalde tested the goalkeeper in the 10th minute, while Mateo Pereyra forced a save from Ryan Friedberg in the 26th minute. Cornell gradually gained momentum, with Blake Donahue and Sergio Zapata creating problems on the flanks.
Cornell dominated the second half, outshooting Brown 14-4 after the break. The Big Red's pressure intensified around the 70th minute mark when Sam Latona forced a save from Henrik Weiper. The breakthrough finally came in the 80th minute through Latona's precise finish. Schaban's late winner came after sustained Cornell pressure, with Aidan Martin providing his second assist of the match.
The final statistics reflected Cornell's superiority, as they outshot Brown 24-10 with 10 shots on target compared to Brown's 3. The Big Red also held a decisive 7-1 advantage in corner kicks. Brown goalkeeper Henrik Weiper made 8 saves in a valiant effort, while Cornell's Ryan Friedberg recorded 2 saves. The match saw three yellow cards shown - one to Cornell's Adam Schaban and two to Brown's Mads Stistrup Petersen and Zion Wharton.
Aidan Martin was instrumental in Cornell's victory, providing both assists in the comeback. Sam Latona's equalizer changed the momentum of the match, while Adam Schaban's clinical finish proved decisive. For Brown, Mateo Pereyra's early goal and Henrik Weiper's impressive goalkeeping kept them in contention throughout.
Cornell's tactical adjustment in the second half, pushing their fullbacks higher and increasing pressure on Brown's defensive line, proved crucial. Brown's initial defensive strategy worked well for 79 minutes, but they ultimately couldn't withstand Cornell's relentless attacking waves. The introduction of Sam Latona and Adam Schaban as substitutes proved masterful, as both found the net in the comeback.
The victory strengthens Cornell's position near the top of the Ivy League standings, extending their impressive winning streak to four matches. For Brown, the loss continues a difficult stretch that has seen them drop three straight matches, putting pressure on their conference positioning.
Cornell's resilience in mounting the comeback highlighted their championship credentials, while Brown's ability to contain the high-scoring Big Red for much of the match showed promise despite the result. The dramatic finish exemplified the competitive nature of Ivy League soccer.
Both teams return to action on November 1, with Cornell traveling to face Harvard and Brown hosting Columbia. The Big Red will look to extend their winning streak while the Bears aim to snap their three-game skid.