Box Score

ONEONTA, N.Y.—The final stats are even, but the SUNY Oneonta women's soccer team easily defeated its rival SUNY Cortland 2-0 today in the first semifinal game played on All-College Field in the SUNYAC tournament. The host Red Dragons (14-4-2) will now play tomorrow in the championship game against Plattsburgh at 1:30 p.m. on Red Dragon Soccer Field. Plattsburgh also cruised to a 4-0 win against Buffalo State in its semifinal to advance into tomorrow's final.

Oneonta scored late in the first half and early in the second half today en route to the shutout. Junior goalkeeper Amy Lusby (West Babylon/N. Babylon) (West Babylon) made five routine stops in the contest in picking up her seventh shutout of the season. Lusby lowered her goals against average to 0.71.

Oneonta's first goal in the match was a matter of being in the right place at the right time. Freshman Kori Hamm (Burlington Flats/Edmeston) (Burlington Flats) hustled to keep a ball in play along the end line and sent an apparent harmless pass across that was misplayed by the Cortland keeper when she failed to pick up the ball. The ball continued across to in front of the goal where freshman Karly DeSimone (Clifton Park/Shenendehowa) (Clifton Park) had an excellent opportunity with one defender standing close to her. DeSimone finished the play with a rocket to the back of the goal.

Oneonta's second goal came in the 59th minute by senior Nha Wright (Schenectady/Duanesburg) (Schenectady), who scored her seventh goal of the season. Wright collected a loose ball at the top of the box, moved to the right around a defender, and sent a low roller along the ground to the opposite corner of the goal.

Oneonta will be playing in its 11th championship game in the last 13 years tomorrow. The Red Dragons are 7-1-2 in its previous 10 championship games. Its only loss came in its first championship game in 1998 against, oddly enough, its opponent tomorrow, Plattsburgh. Nineteen ninety-eight is the only time Plattsburgh has played in, and won, the SUNYAC championship game. Oneonta is seeking its 12th straight NCAA appearance with a win tomorrow.

Scoring summary
O, Karly DeSimone (Clifton Park/Shenendehowa) (Kori Hamm (Burlington Flats/Edmeston)), 41:57
O, Nha Wright (Schenectady/Duanesburg) (unassisted), 58:51

Team Statistics
Shots: O, 9; C, 8
Corner Kicks: O, 2; C, 2

Goalies
O, Amy Lusby (West Babylon/N. Babylon) (W, 12-4-2), five saves
C, Pam Monnier (L, 11-5-3), three saves