Filighera previews conference final vs. Plattsburgh
The Red Dragons are no strangers to playoff pressure.
PUCK DROP: 3 PM, Sat. 3/2, Plattsburgh
Dragons to appear in SUNYAC final
PICTURED: Cortland Head Coach Rick Filighera prepares in his office
CORTLAND, NY — The Red Dragons are no strangers to playoff pressure. On Saturday, Cortland will compete in the conference championship for the fourth time in five seasons. Head Coach Rick Filighera is expecting a close game against Plattsburgh.
“We know it’s going to be nip and tuck,” he said. “It’s really going to come down to us having composure, us executing on our penalty kills, and hopefully we’ll score a few more goals than them.”
To come out on top, the Dragons will have to dim Plattsburgh’s star forward Julia Massotta. The grad student has 36 points in 26 games this season. Filighera says he trusts his players to limit Massotta’s scoring chances.
“We play a very aggressive defensive zone coverage, so to control her, everybody’s got to do their job.”
Filighera believes the Dragons are playing their best hockey of the season. The team has lost just two games since early December.
“I like where we’re at,” he said. “I just feel good about this game.”
Dragons outduel Knights in playoffs
The Red Dragons looked nothing like the underdogs.
FINAL: Cortland 3, Geneseo 2
Dragons advance to SUNYAC final
PICTURED: Cortland junior Anthony Bernardo charges up the ice
GENESEO, NY — The visiting Red Dragons looked nothing like the underdogs early on, keeping the puck in Geneseo territory. Cortland carried the momentum into the second period, scoring two goals on the top-seeded Knights. The only joy for the home fans came in the third frame, when Geneseo goalie Jacob Torgner made a nifty save with his noggin.
Cardarelli reflects on win vs. Brockport
The game had “very few shenanigans.”
FINAL: Brockport 1, Cortland 5
Dragons advance to SUNYAC semifinal
PICTURED: Cortland Head Coach Joe Cardarelli sits in his office
CORTLAND, NY — The Red Dragons outplayed the Golden Eagles in a game that had “very few shenanigans,” Cortland Head Coach Joe Cardarelli said. He added his team was successful in getting traffic in front of Brockport’s net. Cardarelli said the Dragons got confidence from their goalie Jack Riedell, who made an “awesome” early save.
Cortland outlasts Oswego in overtime
The crowd erupted midway through the second period.
FINAL (OT): Oswego 1, Cortland 2
Dragons win back-to-back games
PICTURED: Cortland freshman Nate Boak races Oswego senior Connor Sleeth to the puck
CORTLAND, NY — The crowd erupted midway through the second period, when a dust-up prompted a double-minor penalty for Oswego sophomore Drake Semrad. Moments later, Cortland junior Dominic Settimo punished the Lakers with a power-play score. The Red Dragons would eventually win in overtime, though the game should’ve ended in regulation, had it not been for the brick wall between Oswego’s goalposts.
‘Yeah!’ Walsh wins it for Cortland
Cortland freshman D.J. Walsh found the net.
FINAL: Potsdam 2, Cortland 3
Dragons get ‘super’ weekend started
PICTURED: Cortland freshman D.J. Walsh celebrates after scoring the deciding goal
CORTLAND, NY — After a scoreless first period, the Red Dragons tickled the twine twice in the second with a pair of shots that pierced the upper 90. But the most exciting goal came in the third frame, when Cortland freshman D.J. Walsh found the net and lifted his arms in joy. The sound crew also pleased the crowd with a medley of Usher hits, setting the stage for his Super Bowl halftime performance.