CORTLAND, NY. – The Wesleyan women's soccer team upset the 20^th ranked team in the country, advancing to the round of 32 for the second consecutive year. The Cardinals traveled to New York Saturday where they would take on the host, the No. 20 SUNY Cortland Red Dragons in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Wesleyan took the lead in the 49^th minute off an Audrey Lavey '23 header, but the Red Dragons found the equalizer in the 77^th minute to force overtime. After a scoreless overtime the Cardinals were able to secure the game in penalty kicks 3-1 to advance to the next round. Wesleyan is now 8-5-6 on the season, and hold a NCAA Tournament record of 4-1-1 while the Red Dragons finish their impressive season 13-1-5.

This was the first ever meeting between these two teams. Wesleyan is now 2-0 in true NCAA Tournament road games, as they defeated MIT in the Elite Eight last year in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Cardinals advance to the Round of 32 for the 2^nd consecutive year, improving to 2-0 in the Round of 64.

Wesleyan seemed to control the majority of the first half, holding majority possession while also creating multiple scoring chances on their nine shots. Wesleyan had multiple chances off crosses throughout the first 45 minutes. Their best chance might have come in the 13^th minute when Grace Devanny '23 worked the ball into the box before dishing off to Isabelle Martin '23 who had her shot picked out of the air by Red Dragon's goalie Kristen Spendal.

SUNY Cortland had a handful of opportunities in the first half as well, recording four shots and two corners. Cortland was accurate with their shots, with three of their four shots on goal. Hammond dealt with all of the shots with relative ease, making two of her four total saves.

Wesleyan opened the second half on the attack, pushing the ball into Red Dragons' territory. Dani Milovanov '23 was taken down just past midfield creating a free kick opportunity for the Cardinals. Milovanov took the free kick, sending a lofting ball into the box. Audrey Lavey came streaking in from the top of the box heading the ball past Spendal to break the scoreless tie. Lavey scores her 2^nd career NCAA Tournament goal, having scored against Stevens in the Round of 32 back in 2021.

The Cardinals had a chance to add an insurance goal in the 70^th minute, but couldn't capitalize. Danielle Soto '23 headed a cross to Devanny who found herself open inside the box, however her shot sailed just high and over the goal. SUNY Cortland responded with a counterattack in the coming minutes, carrying the ball into Cardinals' territory. Lexi Burke had a clean shot from the top of the box just go over the crossbar at the 72^nd minute. Minutes later the Red Dragons found the equalizer, Jayden Kelley got a foot on a cross that snuck by Sarah Hammond '22.

Cortland had one last chance in regulation with nine minutes to go. The Red Dragons intercepted a pass deep in Cardinals' territory, with Galluzzo receiving a through ball creating a breakaway chance. Galluzzo's shot was popped up in the air by Hammond and over the net, eventually forcing overtime.

After a scoreless 20 minutes of overtime that saw only four total shots, the game went to penalty kicks. Both goalies came up big in the first round, stopping both attempts by the opposing team. In the second round it was the first-year who came up big, with Molly Brumbach '26 making the save on the PK. Chloe Odabashian '23 came through on her attempt to take a 1-0 lead. Brumbach made her 3^rd consecutive save, turning away Isabella Auth's attempt, followed by another Wesleyan make courtesy of Caty Clements '25. After the Red Dragons netted their 4^th attempt to make it 2-1, Wesleyan needed one final score to clinch their spot in the next round. Kate Hausladen '23 stepped up and did just that, beating Spendal to her right side to help Wesleyan advance to the Round of 32.

Wesleyan will return to the Round of 32 on Sunday November 13^th where they will face off against 5^th ranked Messiah University.