No. 24 SUNY Oneonta used a pair of first-half goals to pick up a 2-1 victory over the Denison women's soccer team on Saturday afternoon at the William Smith Invitational in Geneva, N.Y.

The Big Red's best scoring opportunity in the first half came in the 24th minute of play. After a corner kick, a scrum ensued in front of the goal line.  Senior Jessica Skelly managed to unload a shot, but Oneonta goalie Emilie Mull was able to come up with the stop.

The Red Dragons broke the tie in the 33rd minute when Devyn Kilmeade converted a penalty kick attempt. Less than three minutes later, following a SUNY Oneonta corner, Kayla Belush was able to double the advantage. Belush capitalized on an Abby Ousouljoglou shot that deflected off the left post.

Denison cut the deficit in half in the 64th minute. Junior Drew Wentzel sent in a free kick from just outside the right edge of the box that found senior Anne Denz who slipped a low rolling shot through traffic and into the back of the net.

The Big Red had a few chances to net the equalizer late in the match. With roughly three minutes to play, Denz ripped a shot that was blocked by a Red Dragon defender. With 26 seconds to play, junior Grace Murray uncorked a shot that forced Mull to make a diving stop, securing the Oneota victory.

Wentzel and sophomore Maggie Armstrong paced the DU attack with three shots apiece, while Denz, Jacquie Graham and Madison Smith all had two attempts. Junior keeper Jenny Herold made six saves in 90 minutes of action.

Both teams attempted 15 shots, while the Red Dragons held a 10-4 advantage in corner kicks.

Denison (0-1) will take on the host Herons in the final game of the William Smith Invitational on Sunday at 2 p.m.