Box Score PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – Unable to break whatever hex has been placed on it in 1-0 decisions this season, the Plattsburgh State women’s soccer team dropped their fifth match of the 2012 campaign by that tally – this time to SUNYAC nemesis SUNY Cortland in overtime on Friday (Sep. 28) at the Field House Complex.
 
The Cardinals attempted 11 shots – three more than the Red Dragons – but only four challenged SUNY Cortland keeper Taylor Hudson. Dating back to 2005, the last eight matchups between the SUNYAC foes have been decided by one goal or less which includes four matches that required extra time to settle.
 
With the loss, the Cardinals fall to 5-5-0 and 1-1-0 in SUNYAC contests while the Red Dragons – who captured their first road win of 2012 – improve to 6-2-2 and 3-0-0 in league matches.
 
The Cardinals and Red Dragons spent the first half-hour of soccer feeling each other out, and defense would prove to be the primary theme in the first half. Only two shots were registered in the first 31 minutes of play, one of which was corralled easily by Plattsburgh State keeper Monica D’Ippolito.
 
Junior midfielder Emily LaLone fired a pair of shots off her right foot – both of which went soaring over the Cortland net - accounting for the only two Cardinal shots of the frame, which featured a combined eight fouls between the two squads.
 
D’Ippolito made a pair of sparkling saves to keep Cortland off the board early in the second half. Caitlin Guerra fired a screaming shot toward the Mahopac, N.Y., product who made a diving stop to preserve the scoreless tie. Emma Whittle’s follow-up attempt some 18 seconds later was also turned away by the junior.
 
In the 70^th minute of action, senior Ashley McKenelley tested Hudson for the first time with a strong strike toward the left side of the net that held up as Hudson’s first save of the afternoon. Minutes later, Plattsburgh State’s top scoring threat Renee Egan broke free from a gang of Cortland defenders and stood alone in the Red Dragons’ box before sending a strong attempt toward Hudson which was controlled immediately.
 
The first – and only – shot of the extra frame came off the foot of Cortland’s Stacey Wood at the 93:25 mark. With both teams crowding the box, the ball ricocheted around and bounced out to Wood who buried her attempt in the top left corner of the net for the deciding tally.
 
D’Ippolito and Hudson each finished with four saves while each team took just one corner kick in the match.
 
The Cardinals will look to get back on track in the SUNYAC as they wrap up their September slate of games at home. A date with Oswego State is scheduled for Saturday (Sep. 29) and is slated to begin at 1 p.m.