ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Sophomore forward Bridgette DeSantis (Schenectady/Mohonasen) scored twice to spark Cortland's five-goal second half and the Red Dragons defeated John Carroll University of Ohio, 5-1, in the opening round of RIT's Rachel Miller Invitational. Cortland will face Ramapo College of New Jersey, a 2-1 winner over RIT, in Sunday's championship game at 1:30 p.m.

Junior defender Carly Williams (Emerson, NJ), junior defender Maura Martin (Chili/Gates-Chili) and freshman midfielder Paige Guidice (Greece/Greece Athena) also scored in the victory for Cortland (2-0). Both Martin, a transfer from Monroe Community College, and Guidice tallied their first goals as Red Dragons.

Junior Pam Monnier (East Northport/Northport) started in goal for Cortland and made one save in 69:45. Junior Dayna Moneta (Franklin Square/Valley Stream North) stopped one shot and did not allow a goal over the final 20:15.

Rachel Grdina scored the lone goal for John Carroll (0-2). Molly Gradowski made three saves and allowed one goal in 67:58 of action. She played the entire first half and the last 27:58 of the second half. Mackenzie Kenner allowed four goals in 22:02.

After a scoreless first half, DeSantis opened the scoring with a goal just 4:25 into the second half, then struck again just 2:27 later with another unassisted goal to give Cortland a 2-0 lead. Grdina tallied in the 53rd minute to bring the Blue Streaks within a goal, but Williams headed in a ball from senior Ashley Mewhorter (Clifton Park/Shenendehowa) in the 59th minute to push the lead back to two.

Martin added a goal in the 64th minute, and Guidice closed the scoring off an assist from freshman Kiersten Jacobsen (Plainedge) with 18:13 remaining. Cortland outshot John Carroll 14-4, although the Blue Streaks did earn six corner kicks to three by the Red Dragons.

Cortland 5, John Carroll 1

Scoring Summary (Goals-Assists):
Cortland: Bridgette DeSantis 2-0, Maura Martin 1-0, Carly Williams 1-0, Paige Guidice 1-0, Ashley Mewhorter 0-1, Kiersten Jacobsen 0-1
John Carroll: Rachel Grdina 1-0

Halftime: Cortland 0, John Carroll 0
Shots: Cortland 14, John Carroll 4
Corner Kicks: John Carroll 6, Cortland 3
Fouls: Cortland 7, John Carroll 7
Saves: Pam Monnier (Cortland) 1 (1 GA in 69:45), Dayna Moneta (Cortland) 1 (0 GA in 20:15); Molly Gradowski (John Carroll) 3 (1 GA in 67:58), Mackenzie Kenner (John Carroll) 0 (4 GA in 22:02)
Record after game: Cortland (Red Dragons) 2-0; John Carroll (Blue Streaks) 0-2