MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's women's lacrosse team took a giant step toward claiming the program's first-ever postseason berth with a 7-2 victory over Wartburg in the Rams' home finale Wednesday night at Van Metre Field at Ash Park.
 
Coach Meredith Meier's Rams (9-7 overall) added another notch to their school-record win total and climbed into sole possession of fourth place in the Midwest Women's Lacrosse Conference at 3-3 with one league game remaining.
 
Cornell can clinch a berth in the four-team MWLC Tournament with a win Saturday at Monmouth (0-12 overall, 0-6 MWLC). Game time is 3 p.m.
 
The Rams turned in a strong defensive effort, pressuring the Knights (2-11 overall, 1-5 MWLC) into 33 turnovers. Wartburg was limited to nine total shots, only three through three quarters of play. Cornell attempted 31 shots.  
 
Hannah Miech worked all 60 minutes at goalie, collecting four saves for her eighth victory of the spring. The first-year reached the century mark for saves in a season with 103, becoming the fifth Ram to hit that benchmark.  
 
The Rams tallied the first three goals of the contest, including a down goal from Sabrina Ibanez for the game's only score in the first quarter. Cornell stretched the lead to 3-0 on second-period scores from Cece Zanoni and Meg Lewis.
 
Wartburg closed within 3-2 early in the third period, and then it was all Rams the rest of the way. Cornell finished the game on a 4-0 run, receiving two goals from Hailey Sieler and one each from Zanoni and Ibanez.
 
All 13 Rams who played recorded a ground ball, led by India Smith with six. Ilsa Jeffery added five ground balls and Alexis Partida came away with a game-high four caused turnovers.