CORTLAND, NY – Gianna Cirilla (Pattersonville/Schalmont) netted the game-winning goal in the final two minutes of the first half, and the Red Dragon defense kept a clean sheet for the second time in three home games, as the Cortland women's soccer team earned a 1-0 victory over Alfred University on Wednesday evening on Holloway Field. Cortland improves to 3-2-1 on the year with the victory, while Alfred falls to 4-2-1 on the year.
 
Cirilla's goal was her team-leading fourth goal of the season, and Julia DeTurris (Hicksville) provided the assist on the goal. Olivia Rouse (Springfield, VA/West Springfield) made two saves in goal for the shutout.
 
Kiani Barnard-Pratt made 11 saves in goal for the Saxons, and Alex Ruzekowicz had two shots on goal for Alfred.
 
Alfred had the first great opportunity of the contest in the ninth minute of a corner kick, but Ruzekowicz's header was cleared off the goal line with a great defensive play by Cortland's Nyah Sinkler (Farmingville/Sachem East).
 
Cortland had a free kick in a dangerous position by Avery Rich (Ilion/Central Valley Academy) go over the crossbar in the 16th minute, and a shot by Katie Diem (Fairport) three minutes later was turned aside for a corner kick after a strong diving save into the top right corner by Barnard-Pratt.
 
Cortland got on the scoreboard just minutes after DeTurris came onto the field as a substitute. DeTurris floated a corner kick to the back post, where Cirilla was able to get her head to the ball and redirect a shot off the right post and into the corner of the net for a 1-0 lead in the 44th minute.
 
Cortland nearly doubled its advantage in the 50th minute, but a shot by Leah Rehm (East Syracuse/East Syracuse-Minoa) was dragged just to the right of the post after great play down the left sideline from Piper Klammer (Mahopac).
 
The Red Dragons had two shots in quick succession saved by Barnard-Pratt in the 64th minute, when Tyla Vuotto (Lynbrook) and Sage Luke (Schenectady/Scotia-Glenville) had their shots saved by Barnard-Pratt.
 
Alfred had one final opportunity on a free kick in the 85th minute, but Rouse was able to easily save the shot attempt and Cortland held possession over the final minutes to secure the victory.