Schenectady, NY -- After 96 minutes of play, senior Cassandra Mariani (Boonton, NY) gave the Dutchwomen the win 1-0 over Ithaca College.  Mariani scored her 17th goal of the season and gave Union the overtime win in the NCAA Championships first round game held at College Park Field.

The ball was sent to the far post off a corner by freshman Sara Wilson (Wilbraham, MA) where Mariani was waiting for the half-volley and buried it into the back of the net.  Union improved to 18-1-2, while the Bombers fell to 12-3-4.

Union had several scoring chances throughout the match including one in the 38th minute of play.  Dutchwoman Erika Eisenhut (Mohawk, NY) had a header on goal off a service just inside the six yard box, but Ithaca goalie Aimee Meacham (Massena, NY) made a finger tip save knocking the ball just over the crossbar.

Ithaca also had chances, the first coming at 20:55 off a ball sent through on the left side of the net.  Chelsey Feldman (Lynbrook, NY) was there for the shot just outside the box, but it went wide past the far post.

Union had 30 shots on the match, holding the Bombers to eight with only two in the first half of play.  The Dutchwomen also had the landslide advantage in corners 11-0.

Union keeper Julie Gawronski (Dunkirk, NY) put up two saves on the match, while Ithaca's Meacham had ten.

Union advances to the second round of play in the 2005 NCAA Championships playing the winner of the second of two first round matches between Rochester and William Smith.  That game will be held Sunday, November 13, 1 p.m. at College Park Field.