ONEONTA, N.Y. – The SUNY Cortland women's soccer team's bid for its first SUNYAC title since 1991 and first NCAA tournament berth since 1998 fell just short with a 2-1 loss to SUNY Geneseo in the SUNYAC Finals. Junior Carly Williams' (Emerson, NJ) goal in the 75th minute rallied the Red Dragons, but Cortland was unable to get the equalizer. With the loss the Red Dragons fell to 12-5-3, while the SUNYAC champion Knights head to the NCAAs with a record of 14-4-2.

Sixth-seeded Cortland held the upper hand in much of the first half, but fifth-seeded Geneseo made the best of its limited opportunities. In the 34th minute, Knight sophomore Kelly Bergin took a pass from teammate Eileen Coyle and drove the ball just beyond the reach of diving Red Dragon junior goalkeeper Pam Monnier (East Northport/Northport) for a 1-0 lead. Cortland outshot Geneseo 5-2 in the first 45 minutes.

The Knights started much faster in the second half and struck again in the 51st minute. This time it was Bergin returning the favor to Coyle, whose eventual game winner made it 2-0 Geneseo. With the Red Dragons' hopes beginning to fade, Knight goalie Katie Clerkin couldn't handle a long shot from freshman Brittni Lionarons (Averill Park) and gave up a big rebound. Williams was there to fire the ball home for her fifth goal of the season at the 74:23 mark. The goal sparked Cortland, which created a several scoring chances in the remaining time, but the Red Dragons couldn't solve Clerkin again.

Monnier made two saves for Cortland and Clerkin finished with four for the victory. Cortland out shot Geneseo, 11-4, on the day. Monnier, Williams and sophomore Bridgette DeSantis (Schenectady/Mohonasen) were named to the All-Tournament Team.

(NOTE: Cortland did not receive an NCAA Division III at-large bid when the field was announced on Monday, Nov. 9.)

Geneseo 2, Cortland 1

Scoring Summary (Goals-Assists):
Cortland: Carly Williams 1-0, Brittni Lionarons 0-1
Geneseo: Kelly Bergin 1-1, Eileen Coyle 1-1

Halftime: Geneseo 1, Cortland 0
Shots: Cortland 11, Geneseo 4
Corner Kicks: Cortland 4, Geneseo 2
Fouls: Cortland 10, Geneseo 6
Saves: Pam Monnier (Cortland) 2 (2 GA in 90:00); Katie Clerkin (Geneseo) 4 (1 GA in 90:00)
Record after game: Cortland (Red Dragons) 12-5-3; Geneseo (Knights) 14-4-2