Saratoga Springs, N.Y.-- In a well played field hockey battle between nationally ranked teams, SUNY Cortland beat Skidmore College in a stroke-off 4-3.

The game featured five second-half goals, including three straight by the Thoroughbreds, 50 shots, 30 penalty corners, and 33 goalkeeper saves.

"Today's game was a tremendous team effort," said Skidmore coach Beth Hallenbeck. "The quality of the play was high through regulation, two 15 minute 7v7 periods,  and finally penalty strokes."

Danielle Hand opened the scoring for Cortland (2-0) when her shot off a rebound got through traffic for the 1-0 lead.  Hand made it 2-0 early in the second with another rebound score at 41:52. 

Skidmore (1-1) came roaring back scoring three straight to grab a 3-2 lead.  Elise Britt converted a quick pass from  Lauren McCarthy to get the Thoroughbreds on the board at 44:03.  Claire Superak tied it with a rebound goal at 53:01 and Brittany O'Brien gave Skidmore a 3-2 lead at 56:54 from Christine Kemp.

Cortland answered right back 28 seconds later when Brenda Semit lofted one high into the net to tie the game 3-3.

Both teams had opportunities in the overtime, but Skidmore goalie Liz Catinella and Cortland keeper Ashley Hughes turned away every shot.  Catinella finished with 12 saves, six in overtime.  Hughes had 21 saves, nine in the extra session.

The Red Dragons won the stroke off, 3-2 with Semit, Christine McCabe, and Brenda Yetsko converting their strokes.  Katie Potter and Annie Rosencrans scored for the Thoroughbreds.  

"Skidmore showed grit and determination, coming back from a 2-0 deficit to lead briefly 3-2," Hallenbeck added. "I am optimistic about our level of skill, tenacity, fitness and depth, and look forward to helping the team improve even more as the season progresses and they reach their true potential."

Skidmore is at New Paltz on Sept. 12.    

                       Field Hockey Game Summary (Final)

                       2009 Skidmore College Field Hockey

       #9 CORTLAND vs #13 Skidmore (Sep 05, 2009 at Saratoga Springs, NY)

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 CORTLAND (2-0) vs. Skidmore (1-1)

 Date: Sep 05, 2009  Attendance: 175

 Weather: Warm, clear

 Goals by period       1  2 OT O2  Tot

 -------------------------------------

 CORTLAND............  1  2  0  1 -  4

 Skidmore............  0  3  0  0 -  3

 SCORING SUMMARY:

  1.  14:10 CORTLAND Danielle Hand (unassisted)

  2.  41:52 CORTLAND Danielle Hand (unassisted)

  3.  44:03 SKIDMORE Elise Britt (Lauren McCarthy)

  4.  53:01 SKIDMORE Claire Superak (unassisted)

  5.  56:54 SKIDMORE Brittany O'Brien (Christine Kemp)

  6.  57:22 CORTLAND Brenda Semit (unassisted)

  7. 100:00 CORTLAND Brenda Semit Stroke-off

  8. 100:00 SKIDMORE Katie Potter Stroke-off

  9. 100:00 CORTLAND Christine McCabe Stroke-off

 10. 100:00 CORTLAND Brianna Yetsko Stroke-off

 11. 100:00 SKIDMORE Annie Rosencrans Stroke-off

 STROKE-OFF RESULTS:

 CORTLAND: 30/N 4/GWG 22/GWG 14/GWG 2/N

 Skidmore: 24/N 11/GWG 9/N 4/GWG 23/N

 Shootout tied at 0

 Shots: CORTLAND 17, Skidmore 33

 Saves: CORTLAND 21 (Ashley Hughes 21), Skidmore 12 (Liz Catinella 12)

 Cortland won 3-2 in penalty strokes