NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – Junior Erin Smith (Greene) scored her team-high 13th goal of the season in the first half as the third-seeded Cortland field hockey team defeated second-seeded Geneseo, 1-0, Friday afternoon in the SUNYAC Semifinals hosted by New Paltz. The Red Dragons improved to 9-7 on the season and face the top-seeded Hawks, a 3-1 winner over fourth-seeded Oneonta, Saturday, 1 p.m. in the title game with an NCAA Div. III playoff berth at stake. The Knights fell to 12-6 with the loss.

Sophomore goalie Amanda Perricone (Bedminster, PA/Pennridge) did not need to make a save in earning the shutout for Cortland, while freshman goalie Dayna Mercer (Katonah/John Jay) registered four saves for the Knights.

In a game where shots came at a premium, the Red Dragons put pressure on Geneseo with a flurry that led to a Cortland penalty stroke. First, senior Katie Barbagallo (North Syracuse/Cicero-North Syracuse) took a shot that Mercer saved. Cortland senior Erin Carrino (Baldwinsville/C.W. Baker) immediately put the rebound on goal, but Geneseo senior Aly Tarney (Baldwinsville/C/W. Baker) recorded a defensive save. After the play, Geneseo was whistled for a foul and the Red Dragons were awarded a penalty stroke. Smith took advantage and scored the game-winner at the 23 minute, 57 second mark to extend her point-scoring streak to eight games.

The teams only combined for three second-half shots with Geneseo taking two and Cortland earning one. The best chance that the Knights had to score the equalizer came with five minutes remaining, but junior Bridget McGovern's (Yorktown Heights/Lakeland) shot off a penalty corner was blocked in front. The Red Dragons' lone shot in the second half came off senior Sara Woodward's (Ancram/Pine Plains) stick with 18 seconds remaining in regulation. Mercer made a save on the play.

Cortland 1, Geneseo 0

Scoring Summary (Goals-Assists):
Cortland: Erin Smith 1-0
Geneseo: no scoring

Halftime: Cortland 1, Geneseo 0
Shots: Cortland 8, Geneseo 4
Penalty Corners: Cortland 5, Geneseo 4
Saves: Amanda Perricone (Cortland) 0 (0 GA in 70:00); Dayna Mercer (Geneseo) 4 (1 GA in 70:00)

Record after game: Cortland (Red Dragons) 9-7; Geneseo (Knights) 12-6