MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's women's soccer team celebrated its long-awaited return to competition with a 1-0 home win over NAIA's Mount Mercy in Wednesday evening's season opener.
 
The lone goal of the match was scored by sophomore Sanne Croes with just under 15 minutes left in the first half. Croes' goal came in her first collegiate game for the Rams (1-0), who are the preseason favorite in the Midwest Conference.
 
Croes' long-range effort dropped just under the crossbar and over the outstretched arms of the Mount Mercy goalkeeper. Junior Maddalin Doran assisted on the play.
 
The Rams defense picked up where it left off in 2019 with a shutout of the Mustangs. Senior goalkeeper Elise Thomason-Larsen made six saves in the match, four coming in the second half and two coming in the final 10 minutes of action.
           
Mount Mercy outshot the Rams 13-9 in the match. Freshmen Elissafe Moreno and Elise Hermiston had two shots apiece. Croes also recorded two shots for Cornell.

The Rams continue their three-game season-opening homestand at 5 p.m. Friday against Carleton.