Second half heroics help Yale defeat Cornell

Ithaca, NY -  Led by the two tries apiece from center Ryan Vandersloot and flanker Phil Contstaninou, Yale came back from a 17-0 first half deficit to defeat Cornell 24-22.

Three minutes into the game Paulo Reis scored the first of his three tries to give Cornell a 5-0 lead. Yale had field position advantage for the next 12 minutes, but from a scrum 30 meters out, Cornell’s #8 picked up and linked with wing Pierce Jansen who scored in the corner, 10-0.

Cornell extended its lead to 17-0 when Paulo Reis scored his second try and Beno Sorensen converted.

Late in the half, with Yale pressuring in Cornell's half, Yale flanker Phil Contstaninou scored his first try to bring the halftime tally to Cornell 17, Yale 5.

Second Half
Yale continued its comeback one minute after the restart when center Ryan Vandersloot scored and then converted his first try, 17-12. Cornell battled back as seven minutes later Paulo Reis scored his third try of the match, extending Cornell’s lead to 22-12.

But that was it for the Big Red, as second tries for Vandersloot and Contstaninou, the latter converted by Vandersloot, gave Yale an exciting 24-22 win.

Yale 24
Tries: Ryan Vandersloot (2), Phil Contstaninou (2)
Conv: Ryan Vandersloot (2)

Cornell 22
Tries: Paulo Reis (3), Pierce Jansen
Conv: Beno Sorensen

In the B-Side match, Cornell defeated Yale 15-0.

Cornell Twitter Feed

Pierce Jansen, dots one down in the corner! Score 10-0 Cornell!
Paulo Reis second in the half. Beno Sorensen on the Conversion.
Score 17-0 Cornell!
End of the first half! Cornell leading 17-5!
Paulo Reis answers Yale's try with his third of the day. 22-12 Cornell!

Final Score - Yale 24 Cornell 22

Match Report: Yale

Game started out exactly the opposite that Yale wanted.  3 minutes into the game Cornell came on strong, after a few penalties and mistakes, Cornell took advantage and scored (+5).  Yale had field position advantage for the next 12 minutes, but after a few mistakes, Cornell had a scrum about 30 meters out. 8 man picked and linked up with wing, Cornell scored in corner.(+5).  12 minutes later Cornell scored again (+7).  Late in the half, Yale was able to keep pressure in Cornell's half and scored try to end the first half.  Half time score, Cornell 17-Yale 5.

The second half started well for Yale, scoring a try under the posts 1 min in (+7).  Cornell was able to battle back and 7 minutes later scored another try (+5).  Yale continued to play hard, but was brutalized with mistakes and penalties. In the 18th minute, Yale was able to score another try. (+5).  Yale kept pressure on Cornell and Cornell responded with great defense.  Finally in the 38th minute, Yale had a scrum about 10 meters out.  A strong run out of the back of the scrum scored the final try of the match.  The conversion was good and Yale won 24-22.

Cornell is a very much improved team, played solid defense, were very agressive in the loose and made less mistakes than Yale.  Yale dug deep and made a few plays when needed.