CORTLAND, NY – After scoring 13 goals in its first two games, the University of Rochester field hockey team ran into a stout defense, as #18 ranked SUNY Cortland defeated the Yellowjackets 3-1 on Tuesday evening at Stadium White.
 
Rochester (2-1) was limited to just four shots on the night, three of which were on goal. The Yellowjacket tally was scored by Bella Militi, off a pass from teammate Karina Bridger.
 
Cortland (2-0) meanwhile tallied single goals in the first, second and fourth quarters to earn the victory at home. Jamie Snyder, Keirra Ettere and Madison Rice were the goal scorers.
 
Rochester's offense provided its biggest output in the opening period. At the five minute mark, UR earned a penalty corner, leading to back-to-back shot attempts. Bridger took the first, which was saved by goalie Emma Morgan, with a follow-up backhand flick attempt by Maeve Fogary being slipped wide.
 
Just past the midway point of the first, Cortland was able to strike first, with Snyder deflecting in a penalty corner shot from teammate Elizabeth Pratt.
 
With three minutes left in the opening quarter, UR scored the equalizer. Bridger gained possession outside the circle in the center of the field and smacked a long hit into the circle, hoping for a good bounce. That's exactly what happen as Militi got a stick on the ball and redirected it into the back of the cage, knotting the score at 1-1.
 
Cortland regained the lead two minutes into the second period on a strong shot from inside the circle by Ettere. She found space in the center of the circle about seven yards out and ripped a shot inside the left post.
 
Neither team could generate much offense the rest of the opening half, with the Red Dragons taking three shots to UR's zero the rest of the way.
 
The third quarter was more of the same, as the back lines on both sides held strong. Rochester gained a pair of penalty corners late in the period, looking to tie once again, but the back-to-back chances were thwarted away. Militi took a shot with just over a minute left in the quarter, but Morgan was there for the save.
 
Rochester's offense couldn't crack the Cortland defense the rest of the way, while the Red Dragons scored a key insurance goal in the closing minutes of the fourth, with Rice scoring her second of the year on a rebound.
 
In goal, Morgan picked up the win with two saves for the Red Dragons. Between the pipes for Rochester, starter Helen Schmitter played the first half and made three saves, allowing two goals. Kara Houston finished off the contest and allowed one score, while making one save.
 
Rochester returns home for a matchup with SUNY Oneonta in its next game this Friday.