CORTLAND, N.Y. – Junior Laura Boucher (Delmar/Bethlehem) scored her first goal of the season in the 78th minute as the Cortland women's soccer team fought back to earn a 1-1 double-overtime tie with visiting Plattsburgh Saturday afternoon in SUNYAC action. The Red Dragons' record stands at 8-1-1 overall and 2-0-1 in the conference, while the Cardinals are 7-2-2 and 2-1-2. Cortland won the penalty-kick tiebreaker, 5-4, and would earn a higher conference seed over Plattsbugh should the two teams tie in the league standings at the end of the regular season.

Chances were limited in a scoreless first half with Cortland having the best opportunity. In the 32nd minute, sophomore Bridgette DeSantis (Schenectady/Mohonasen) possessed the ball on the left side after a free kick but sent her 15-yard shot just over the crossbar.

The Cardinals took the lead in the 50th minute on an impressive individual effort by freshman Kristie Pageau (Dannemora/Saranac). Pageau forced a Cortland turnover, beat two defenders to the ball and slid a 12-yard shot inside the right post from the left side of the box for her first goal of the season. In the 70th minute, Cortland senior Ashley Mewhorter (Clifton Park/Shenendehowa) nearly scored the equalizer, but Plattsburgh freshman goalie Ricci Celia (Essex Junction, VT/Essex) made a diving save of her left-footed shot from the left side of the box.

Less than 10 minutes later, Cortland did knot up the score. DeSantis controlled the ball on the left side and curled a serve into the box, where Boucher sent a header off the left post and over the goal line. As they pressed for the winning goal, the Red Dragons had an outstanding chance to take a 2-1 lead five minutes later, however Celia denied junior Carly Williams' (Emerson, NJ) open look from 12 yards out on the right side and the game went to overtime.

Less than three minutes into the first extra session, Cortland junior goalie Pam Monnier (East Northport/Northport) made a save at the left post on a header by Pageau. In the 95th minute, Celia kept it a 1-1 game with a save on freshman Taylor Teal's (Bethlehem) one-time shot from the top of the box. In the closing moments of the first overtime, Cortland sophomore Jordan Miller (Liverpool) blocked a close-in attempt by Plattsburgh sophomore Danielle Wiemer (Middletown/John S. Burke Catholic) after a free kick.

The Cardinals had the two best opportunities to earn the win in the second 10-minute overtime. In the 102nd minute, junior Liz Radigan (Troy) put a shot just over the top from the right side and two minutes later, freshman Renee Egan (Plattsburgh/Seton Catholic) clanged a shot off the crossbar and out of play on a loose ball in the box after a free kick.

In the tiebreaker, Williams scored the decisive goal after Monnier made a save on Plattsburgh in the sixth round.


Cortland 1, Plattsburgh 1 (2OT)

Scoring Summary (Goals-Assists):
    Plattsburgh: Kristie Pageau 1-0
    Cortland: Laura Boucher 1-0, Bridgette DeSantis 0-1

Halftime: Cortland 0, Plattsburgh 0
End of Regularion: Cortland 1, Plattsburgh 1
Shots: Plattsburgh 21, Cortland 7
Corner Kicks: Plattsburgh 6, Cortland 2
Fouls: Cortland 16, Plattsburgh 8
Saves: Ricci Celia (Plattsburgh) 5 (1 GA in 110:00); Pam Monnier (Cortland) 5 (1 GA in 110:00)
Record after game: Plattsburgh (Cardinals) 7-2-2, 2-1-2 SUNYAC; Cortland (Red Dragons) 8-1-1, 2-0-1 SUNYAC