SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Cortland's rally from a four-goal deficit in the final 16 minutes fell just short as the 12th-ranked Red Dragons opened the season with a 9-8 loss at 13th-ranked Union.

Cortland trailed 8-4 with less than 16 minutes left, but sophomore Jessie Fritz (Baldwinsville/C.W. Baker) scored four of the game's next five goals to pull the Red Dragons within 9-8 with 3:57 left. Fritz's team-high four goals matches her career high.

Following Fritz's final goal, Cortland won the ensuing draw control but turned the ball over with 3:32 left. Union was able to run the clock down to 1:08 before losing the ball, but the Red Dragons turned the ball back to the Dutchwomen with 48 seconds left. Cortland's Casey Costello (Manlius/Fayetteville-Manlius) forced another Union turnover with eight seconds left, but the Red Dragons were unable to get a shot.

Union freshman Kristin Joyce (Longmeadow, MA) scored three of her team-high four goals in the first half and the hosts led 7-3 at halftime. The teams traded goals in the first 10 minutes of the second half before Fritz found the net at the 15:39 and 13:35 marks. Union's Liz Zamore (South Hero, VT/Essex) scored what proved to be the game-winner off a free position with 9:58 left, but Fritz connected on her own free position opportunity with 7:45 left in addition to her goal with 3:57 remaining.

Cortland sophomore goalie Deanne Abell (Fulton/G. Ray Bodley) made six of her 10 saves in the second half. Union freshman goalie Cat Ruggiero (Huntington) made 11 saves, seven in the first half.

Four Red Dragons – senior Elizabeth Acee (Syracuse/Henninger), senior Rachel Cornwell (Fairport), senior Beth Elmer (Syracuse/West Genesee) and freshman Bree Smith (Syracuse/Cicero-North Syracuse) – scored one goal apiece. Each team finished with 25 shots.

Team (Rcd) 1-2=Final
Cortland (0-1) 3-5=8
Union (1-0) 7-2=9

Scoring (Goals-Assists):
Cortland: Jessie Fritz 4-0, Elizabeth Acee 1-0, Rachel Cornwell 1-0, Beth Elmer 1-0, Bree Smith 1-0
Union: Kristin Joyce 4-0, Chelsea 2-0, Keri Messa 1-2, Caitlin Cuozzo 1-1, Liz Zamore 1-1, Keelin Skurek 0-1

Goalkeepers:
Cortland: Deanne Abell, 10 saves (9 GA in 60:00)
Union: Cat Ruggiero, 11 saves (8 GA in 60:00)

Shots: Cortland 25, Union 25
Ground Balls: Cortland 20, Union 18
Draw Controls: Union 12, Cortland 7
Caused Turnovers: Union 12, Cortland 9
Turnovers: Cortland 19, Union 18
Fouls: Union 5, Cortland 4

2008-03-02