The field hockey team has started its season on a record setting pace. It has six victories in as many contests — the best start in school history.

Tomorrow, at home against Columbia (3-2, 1-0 Ivy), Cornell (6-0, 1-0 Ivy) tries to make it seven straight wins, and two straight in the Ivy League. Cornell looks to continue its dominance against Columbia, hoping to improve to 13-1 all time against the Ivy League rivals. Columbia hasn’t been faring as well as Cornell this season, but head coach Donna Hornibrook isn’t making any guarantees just yet, saying, “Columbia is a respected and formidable team, and we’re going to have to play our very best to beat them. We can still improve on all facets of our game.”

“We are preparing for Columbia just as we do any big game,” said captain Kelley Kantarian, senior. “We take it one practice at time, one drill at a time, bringing focused intensity to everything we do.”

Hornibrook attributes her team’s success to its ability to work well as a unit.

“We’re a team oriented group, in all phases of the game,” she said, “My girls are hardworking and unselfish and head into each game with a team-first approach. You be perfect: Junior attacker Catie De Stio goes head-to-head with a Lock Haven opponent at Dodson Field on Saturday, Sept. 12. The Red prevailed 2-1.

Kantarian had similar thoughts as well, saying, “Our team is made up of girls with great attitudes who are determined to work hard and come ready to fill any role on any given day. Every player coming off the bench has been ready to play, and we have shown we have depth on our team. That is so important to our team’s success. ”

The Red has truly been clicking on all cylinders. The offense is on a tear, posting three or more goals in four games, and scoring a whopping total of 18. Senior captains Kantarian and Katie Kirnan have helped set the pace for the Red offensive outburst with their combined six goals.

Also, junior attacker Catie De Stio has had a week to remember, posting a hat trick on Friday against the Quakers, and a game-winning goal, her third of the season, against Lehigh on Sunday. Her recent success hasn’t gone unnoticed and earned her the Ivy League Player of the Week.

“I couldn’t have done it without the team,” De Stio said. “Each and every goal scored is a team effort, starting with stops on the defensive end, moving the ball efficiently to the midfield, and finishing with the offensive end. It’s a great individual accolade, but I’m just excited that our team has been winning.”

The Red defense hasn’t been too shabby either. Goalkeepers Melanie Jue, senior, and Alex Botte, sophomore, collectively boast two shutouts, and have allowed a mere five goals in six games.

“Our defensive line has shown incredible play,” Kantarian said, “holding our opponents to limited shots and scoring opportunities.”

Cornell has been doing just that, allowing opponents a stingy five shots per game.

Jue, with the limited action she sees coming her way, ranks fourth in the nation in both save percentage (.857) and goals-against average (.50).