CORTLAND, NY –
Tyla Vuotto (Lynbrook) netted the game-winning goal in the 65th minute, and the Cortland women's soccer team hung on for a 1-0 shutout victory over St. Lawrence in the season opener on Tuesday evening on Holloway Field. Cortland moves to 1-0 on the year, while St. Lawrence drops to 0-1.
Vuotto led Cortland with four shot attempts, and had three shots on goal in the victory.
Cassia Schuyler (Cincinnatus) registered an assist on the goal for the Red Dragons.
Olivia Rouse (Springfield, VA/West Springfield) recorded the shutout with two saves in the contest.
Reagan Murphy stopped three shots in goal for the Saints, while Barrett Freeman and Paige McLaughlin each registered one shot on goal for St. Lawrence.
Cortland had the first chance of the contest in the seventh minute, as
Piper Klammer (Mahopac) made a run down the left sideline, cut into the center of the field, and fired a low shot that was saved well by Murphy.
The Red Dragons' best opportunity of the first half came in the 13th minute off a free kick, but
Haley Loscalzo's (East Northport/Commack) shot from just outside the 18-yard box fizzed just over the crossbar.
St. Lawrence nearly capitalized on a Cortland defensive miscue in the 40th minute in front of goal, but the shot attempt slid just wide of the left post to keep the game scoreless into the break.
Cortland broke the deadlock in the 65th minute, with Schuyler curling a cross from the right side about 30 yards from goal into the center of the box, and Vuotto connecting with a header that glanced off the right post and into the back of the net.
St. Lawrence began to press for an equalizing goal shortly after, and Rouse had to dive to collect a long free kick that took a dangerous bounce through traffic in the 75th minute, and
Nyah Sinkler (Farmingville/Sachem East) then recorded a strong block down the left side just a few minutes later to preserve the lead.
The Saints had a potential-tying goal disallowed with just under four minutes remaining. Barrett's initial shot following a corner kick was saved by a diving Rouse, but the rebound was deposited into the goal. However, the referees ruled that Rouse that controlled the ball and was fouled prior to the rebound, giving Cortland a free kick and allowing the Red Dragons to escape with the victory.
