CORTLAND, N.Y. -- The Oneonta field hockey team dropped the Battle of the Red Dragons at Cortland, 1-0, Saturday afternoon. Cortland got their goal in the first period, then they held off Oneonta from scoring during the second half. Senior Maura Leib (East Syracuse, N.Y./East Syracuse Minoa) finished with 10 saves as Oneonta moved to 8-6 overall, 2-3 in the SUNYAC, while Cortland went to 6-9 in the season and 3-2 in the conference. 

The result solidified the SUNYAC tournament matchups, and Oneonta will play Salisbury in the semifinal round on November 7, while Cortland will face New Paltz. Both games, as well as the championship game on November 8, will take place in New Paltz.

The game-deciding goal was scored at 10:12 in the first period. Cortland took a penalty corner and got the ball to Gabriella Gemelli, who had her first shot saved by Leib then she scored on the rebound.

Freshman Isabella Cunha (Carle Place, NY/Carle Place) recorded the first shot on goal for Oneonta at 32:17 in the third period after she recovered junior Alexandra Howell's (Holtsville, N.Y./Sachem East) blocked shot in front of the cage, but Cortland's keeper, Emma Morgan, dove for the stop. Graduate student Caitlyn Caulfield (Albany, N.Y./Guilderland) received the ball off a penalty corner for a shot on goal at 38:50, however it was saved by Morgan.

Senior Molly Miller (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa) had Oneonta's final chance when she got the ball inside the circle and fired off two shots at 57:44, and they were unfortunately both stopped by Morgan.

Leib kept the cage clean for the final three quarters and recorded eight of her 10 saves in the second half. Morgan totaled four saves for Cortland.

Cortland outshot Oneonta 15-10 in total shots, 11-4 with shots on goal, and Oneonta held a 10-9 advantage in corner kicks.

Oneonta will be back home for their next match on Wednesday, October 29, against Ithaca at 5 pm at All College Field. Read Full Article