GENEVA, N.Y. –The 18th-ranked Cortland field hockey team used a 68th minute strike from Tori Peterson to escape with a 1-0 overtime win over William Smith this evening in a non-conference game on McCooey Field. With the results, the Herons fall to 4-4 on the season, while the Red Dragons remain undefeated and improve to 6-0 on the season.
Despite the final result, William Smith put on a dominant performance against Cortland. The Herons held a 17-5 advantage in shots, including a 9-3 edge in shots on target. William Smith also earned 11 penalty corners compared to Cortland's five. The Red Dragons combined for nine saves in the non-conference battle, while the Herons tallied two.
First-year Abigail Mantione and junior Ana Dios Vidal led William Smith with four shots each this evening. Mantione landed three on target, while Dios Vidal forced Sofia Cannistraci into two saves. Juniors Mia Bolster and Caroline Kogut added three shots each in the loss.
Sophomore Olivia Terranova played all 68 minutes in the non-conference battle and made two saves in the loss. She is now 4-3 on the season.
MATCH MOMENTS:
- The opening quarter saw the Herons and the Red Dragons fight for early possession of the ball. Neither side saw threating scoring opportunities in the opening 15 minutes despite William Smith earning two early penalty corners.
- The Herons offense came alive in the second quarter, firing off three shots while holding the Red Dragons to zero shots to close out the half. William Smith's best scoring chance of the half came in the 18th minute after being awarded a penalty corner. Mantione deflected a strong shot in front of goal but the deflection went just high of the goal to keep the score tied at 0-0 heading into halftime.
- William Smith continued to apply the pressure in the third quarter, combining for three shots and four penalty corners in the 15-minute period. Cannistraci stood tall and made one save to keep the Herons off the board heading into the final frame.
- The Herons came out strong in the final quarter, firing off seven shots compared to the Red Dragons' one. William Smith had a strong scoring opportunity in the 52nd minute, but the Cortland goalie made back-to-back saves after a scramble in front of goal to keep the game scoreless.
- Less than a minute later, the Herons had their best scoring opportunity of the game after junior Mia Batchelder intercepted a Cortland defensive miscue. Batchelder was one-on-one with the goalie but fired her shot just wide of the goal.
- The final six minutes would see William Smith continue to apply pressure, firing off three more shots but Cortland's defense kept the Herons off the board, sending the non-conference battle to overtime.
- The Herons grabbed the early momentum of the overtime period, creating two scoring opportunities, but Mantione and senior Leah Griffith's shots were stopped by the Cortland goalie.
- At the 63:48 mark, William Smith found themselves on a fast break with the ball on the stick of Batchelder. She took the ball to the end line and made a move around the goalie, firing off a shot across the face of goal but Emma Rice was there to sweep the ball away, giving the Red Dragons some late momentum.
- Less than a minute later, Cortland had its best scoring chance of the game as it was awarded a penalty stroke after Terranova took down a Red Dragon attacker. Adrienne Mayes stepped up to the spot but fired her shot wide of the goal to keep it a 0-0 game.
- The Red Dragons made it count in the 68th minute after being awarded a penalty corner. Kaylee Hughen fired off a shot from the top of the arch which was deflected by Peterson past Terranova. It was her fifth goal of the season.
UP NEXT:
William Smith will be back in action Saturday, Sept. 26, when it travels to Grantham, Pennsylvania, for a non-conference matchup with Messiah. Action between the Herons and the Falcons is set for noon.
