WASHINGTON - SUNY Cortland raced out to a 9-0 lead on its way to a 20-3 victory over Catholic at Mt. Sinai High School on Saturday, March 15.

The Red Dragons (4-0) won the opening draw control and scored on their first posession for the early lead at 29:38 from All-American Erica Geremia.

Plagued by 14 first-half turnovers, the Cardinals struggled to get into an offensive flow in Cortland territory, and drop to 3-2 on the season.

Catholic freshman attacker Jenna Van Middelem, an alumni of Mt. Sinai HS, led her high school team to an undefeated season in 2013 concluding with a New York State Championship. Playing on a familiar field, Van Middelem put her team on the scoreboard at 8:20, connecting on a free position shot for a 9-1 score.

Lindsay Brophy won the next faceoff and quickly got over the restraining line as the Cardinals looked to stay on the attack. CUA scored its second goal just 14 seconds later, as Clair Schmitzer dodged her way through the Cortland defense and found the back of the net for the sixth time this season.

The Red Dragons scored the next four scores to take a 13-2 lead into halftime.

SUNY Cortland scored six more goals to open the second half and record 10 unanswered and go up 19-2.

Madeline Nowakowski scored the final goal for the Cardinals with 12:32 left to play. 

Geremia finished with six goals and four assists for the Red Dragons. Cortland outshot the Cardinals 35-12, and had a commanding 17-8 advantage on draw controls.

Tricia Pehnke finished with six saves in 38:54 minutes before Yasmeen Ajdari came in and recorded a save in the final 21:06.

Caroline DiBartolomeo and Schmitzer led the CUA defense with three caused turnovers each and combined for five groundballs. Alexis Martin recorded a team-high four groundballs.

Catholic return to action at home on Wednesday, March 19 at 4:00 p.m. when they welcome the University of Mary Washington (5-1) to Cardinal Stadium.

-CUA-