NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Cornell’s defense was as good as advertised. The Big Red entered Saturday’s game with Yale leading the nation in goals against average, having yielded just three goals all season. The numbers are now just a little better.

Elizabeth Crowell scored at 26:34 and Cornell made it hold up in earning a 1-0 victory over the Bulldogs on a chilly afternoon at Reese Stadium.

Yale (4-6-2, 1-3 Ivy) wasn’t without opportunities. The Bulldogs outshot Cornell 14-10 and had a 5-1 edge in corner kicks.

“We had a fair amount of chances, but we didn’t create really good chances,” said Yale head coach Rudy Meredith. “I thought we were too impatient in the final third.”

The Bulldogs also were a bit unfortunate on Cornell’s goal. Goalkeeper Rachel Ames made a terrific diving save to stop Crowell’s penalty kick, but the rebound came right back to Crowell, who was able to fire it into the net before any Yale defenders could get to her.

The Big Red was awarded the penalty kick after a Yale defender took down a Cornell player in the box.

“It was a defensive lapse that led to the penalty kick,” said Meredith who had no issue with the call. “It made us chase the game which is always difficult.”

The Bulldogs had the edge in possession the remainder of the way but couldn’t get the equalizer.

“Cornell doesn’t make mistakes,” Meredith said of the Big Red’s defensive prowess. “They always have numbers behind the ball and work well together. You have to earn a goal to score.”

Michelle Alozie, Yale’s leading goal scorer, fired seven shots at the goal, but all were well contested as Cornell paid plenty of attention to her.

The Big Red (9-1-4, 2-1-1 Ivy) is already assured of its first winning season since 2002.

The Bulldogs are back in action on Monday night when they host Central Connecticut. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.