Springfield, Mass. – September 25, 2011 – Despite taking an early 1-0 lead, the Springfield College field hockey team was defeated by Cortland, 4-1, in non-conference play on Stagg Field on Sunday afternoon.

Junior forward Sara Woodward led the way for Cortland with two goals and an assist to help the visitors improve to 5-3 on the season. The Pride drop to 0-6 with the defeat.

The game started out promising for Springfield as the Pride got on the scoreboard first with a goal from Lynne Donoghue in the 14th minute of the opening half. After a Springfield shot was saved, Donoghue took the rebound and pushed it past the Cortland goalie for the score.

The Red Dragons answered back four minutes later. Katie Barbagallo took a cross pass from Woodward and drilled it home to even things at one goal apiece. Barbagallo added an assist just a few minutes after that, setting up sophomore midfielder Karly Vdoviak for the go-ahead and eventual game-winning goal.

The Pride could not stem the tides after the halftime break as the visitors would go on to add two insurance goals. Karly Vdoviak started a fast break up the left side in Pride territory before dishing it to Woodward for her first goal of the game in the 45th minute. Woodward tacked on an unassisted score with under 10 minutes to play to give the visitors the 4-1 lead for good.

Cortland outshot Springfield 20-7 and earned 10 penalty corners to the PrideÂ's four.

The Pride will be back home Wednesday night for a matchup with Williams College. The game is scheduled to start at 7:00 pm.

(Photo by Cindi Williamson of Fat Dog Fotos)