ITHACA, N.Y. - Freshman Caitlin Guerra (Highland Falls/James I. O'Neill) and senior Jackie De Luise (Schenectady/Guilderland) each scored goals as Cortland defeated Concordia-Moorhead (Minn.) 2-0 in the third round of the NCAA Div. III women's soccer tournament at Ithaca College. The Red Dragons (14-5-3) advance to the national quarterfinals and will play the host Bombers 1 p.m. Sunday. Ithaca upset undefeated and third-ranked Trinity (Texas) 1-0 in double overtime in Saturday's other sectional game. The Cobbers' season ended at 13-4-6.

With a stiff wind blowing at Carp Wood field, much of the play occurred in the midfield early in the game. The first good chance by either team came in the 20th minute when Concordia-Moorhead freshman Elizabeth Robinson (Minneapolis, MN/Southwest) blasted a 25-yard shot with the wind that just cleared the crossbar. Seven minutes later, Cobber freshman Gina Weiss (Monticello, MN) had a look from the right side of the box, but a Cortland defender blocked her shot.

The Red Dragons' first real threat came in the 29th minute. Junior Stacey Wood (New Hyde Park) sent a cross into the box from the right side that carried over a defender's head and to senior Jennifer Cadolino (Massapequa). Cadolino attempted to one-time a shot on a volley out of the air but the ball was easily saved by Concordia-Moorhead junior goalie Ali Nelson (Maple Grove, MN). Five minutes later, Guerra gave Cortland a 1-0 lead in the 34th minute. De Luise dropped a pass back to Guerra, who one-timed a 35-yard shot into the wind that tucked into the upper right corner of the net The Cobbers nearly answered two minutes later to tie the score. Weiss freed herself on the right side of the box and had an open chance from 12 yards. Her shot, however, missed high and wide right.

In the second half, Cortland worked to preserve the lead by settling more players back defensively and then look for quick counters to their forwards. The Red Dragons held the Cobbers without any quality chances often clearing loose balls out of the box in a crowd of players. Cortland nearly made it a 2-0 game in the 61st minute. After a corner kick, sophomore Kelly Knight (Rochester/Greece Olympia) sent what was meant to be a serve toward the goal from the right side. The ball cleared Nelson and rattled off the left elbow and back into play where Concordia-Moorhead cleared the ball out of danger.

The Cobbers continued to press the Red Dragons and, with less than 10 minutes remaining, committed more players to the offensive end. Cortland repeatedly held off any chances and eventually scored an insurance goal with one minute, 29 seconds remaining. Nelson, who was well off her line near the top of the box, tried to clear the ball as she pushed forward, but De Luise intercepted the pass, gained control and lofted a shot from 40 yards away over the keeper's head and into the net to seal the win.

Graduate student goalie Pam Monnier (East Northport/Northport) finished with five saves for her 11th shutout of the season and her third in as many games during the NCAA playoffs. Nelson made three saves for the Cobbers, who out shot the Red Dragons, 13-10.

Cortland 2, Concordia-Moorhead 0

Scoring Summary (Goals-Assists):
Cortland: Jackie De Luise 1-1, Caitlin Guerra 1-0
Concordia-Moorhead: no scoring

Halftime: Cortland 1, C-M 0
Shots: C-M 13, Cortland 10
Corner Kicks: Cortland 2, C-M 1
Fouls: C-M 11, Cortland 9
Saves: Pam Monnier (Cortland) 5 (0 GA in 90:00); Ali Nelson (C-M) 3 (2 GA in 90:00)
Record after game: Cortland (Red Dragons) 14-5-3, Concordia-Moorhead (Cobbers) 13-4-6