CORTLAND, NY – The Skidmore College field hockey team withstood a potent attack from No. 8 SUNY Cortland throughout regulation, before succumbing to the golden goal in overtime to lose by a final 1-0 margin on Saturday afternoon.

Aided by ten big saves from senior Victoria Bodnar, the Thoroughbreds (8-11) defense didn't break against an aggressive attack from the Red Dragons (15-1), who put up 17 shots in regulation, and even found themselves with the chance to score the winning goal in the closing seconds of regulation of an overall strong final regular season tune-up for the Liberty League Playoffs.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Dragons were on the front foot throughout the first three quarters, by putting up 16 unanswered shot attempts to constantly pressure the Thoroughbreds defense. However, a stellar performance from Bodnar, who stopped a trio of shots in each of the first three quarters kept Cortland off the boards.
• In the 41st minute, during the third period, Skidmore generated their first corner of the game but were unable to get a shot attempt off.
• The Thoroughbreds nearly scored the winning goal in the closing seconds of regulation, as the team generated a premium penalty corner opportunity in which junior Abby Ezickson and sophomore Colby Paul put up the lone shot attempts of the game for Skidmore.
• Skidmore was able to outshoot Cortland in the final frame of regulation after keeping the Red Dragons to just a lone shot attempt in the fourth.
• In overtime, Bodnar saved an initial Cortland shot just 29 seconds into the extra frame, but the defense could not stop an aggressive Red Dragons transition attack a minute later that saw the home team strike with the golden goal on a deflection of a stellar crossing pass from the right side.

UP NEXT
The Thoroughbreds begin postseason play on Tuesday against William Smith in a first round matchup. The road matchup is set for a 5 PM start.