CORTLAND, N.Y. – Senior Bridgette DeSantis (Rotterdam/Mohonasen) scored early in the second half and the goal held up as the Cortland women's soccer team defeated Plattsburgh, 1-0, Friday afternoon in SUNYAC action at the Jets Field on the SUNY Cortland campus. The Red Dragons improved to 5-4-1 overall and 2-1 in the conference, while the Cardinals fell to 3-3-2 and 1-1.

Graduate student Pam Monnier (East Northport/Northport) made three saves for Cortland to record her fifth shutout of the season. Freshman goalie Danielle Schmitt (Washingtonville) registered five saves for Plattsburgh.

Each team had two quality scoring chances in the opening half. In the third minute, Cortland senior Jackie De Luise (Schenectady/Guilderland) had a clean look from 15 yards away on the right side but her shot barely sailed over the crossbar. The Cardinals put together back-to-back opportunities two minutes apart later in the half. In the 35th minute, Monnier punched an 18-yard shot by Plattsburgh senior Danielle Weimer (Middletown/John S. Burke Catholic) over the crossbar after a free kick, and senior Lindsey Keyser (Keeseville/Au Sable Valley) sent a 25-yard shot just over the right elbow in the 37th minute.

Less than five minutes into the second half, Cortland junior Stacey Wood (New Hyde Park) nearly gave Cortland a 1-0 lead, but Schmitt knocked her 15-yard shot over the crossbar. Two minutes later, DeSantis scored the game winner. She took an initial shot on a loose ball that Weimer cleared off the goal line. The rebound bounced right back to DeSantis who was able to deposit a one-time shot into an empty goal for her first score of the season.

Plattsburgh's best chance to score the equalizer came in the 79th minute. Junior Kristie Pageau (Dannemore/Saranac) was led into the right side of the box all alone. Facing Monnier one-on-one, Pageau fired an eight-yard shot wide right of the goal. Cortland almost added an insurance goal in the 87th minute, but freshman Allie Maguire's (Ballston Lake/Shenendehowa) uncontested shot on the left side barely went wide of the left post. The Red Dragons were able to deny the Cardinals any quality chances in the closing minutes to earn the conference win.   

Cortland 1, Plattsburgh 0

Scoring Summary (Goals-Assists):
Plattsburgh: no scoring
Cortland: Bridgette DeSantis 1-0

Halftime: Cortland 0, Plattsburgh 0
Shots: Cortland 18, Plattsburgh 10
Corner Kicks: Cortland 8, Plattsburgh 2
Fouls: Cortland 11, Plattsburgh 8
Saves: Danielle Schmitt (Plattsburgh) 5 (1 GA in 90:00), 1 team save; Pam Monnier (Cortland) 3 (0 GA in 90:00)

Record after game: Cortland (Red Dragons) 5-4-1, 2-1 SUNYAC, Plattsburgh (Cardinals) 3-3-2, 1-1 SUNYAC