Dragons top Herons on sudden-death score

FINAL (OT): William Smith 1, Cortland 2

Cortland escapes late scare

PICTURED: Cortland senior Katie Diem chases the puck

CORTLAND, NY — Not all wins come easy.

Despite landing nearly 50 shots on net, the Red Dragons struggled to score on William Smith goalie Mia Iwicki. The Massachusetts native kept the Herons in the game, especially in the middle frame, when she slammed the door on two breakaway opportunities.

At the tail end of the third period, with the score tied 1-1, it was Cortland goalie Eline Gillodes who came up big. The freshman netminder blocked a shot by William Smith senior Kelly Howe with five seconds remaining. Howe, in disbelief, was consoled by her teammates.

PICTURED: William Smith goalie Mia Iwicki watches two players fight for possession

To begin overtime, the visiting crowd cheered on the Herons. “Let’s go green!” one supporter yelled.

Minutes later, the visitors fell silent: Cortland senior Hayley Hunter slipped the puck between Iwicki’s legs to win the game. Hunter jumped for joy, while Cortland Head Coach Rick Filighera grinned widely on the bench.

Dragons catch fire against Bengals

FINAL: Buffalo State 1, Cortland 10

Early goal ignites Cortland’s offense

PICTURED: Buffalo State freshman Dakota Carlson and Cortland senior Ainsley Delacourt hunt down the puck

CORTLAND, NY — Fans were still taking their seats when the scoreboard flashed 1-0.

Just 20 seconds into the game, Cortland sophomore Grace Karakas stuffed the puck past Buffalo State goalie Alexa Todd on a wraparound. The quick score set off an offensive avalanche at Alumni Arena.

The Red Dragons would double their lead midway through the first frame, thanks to a score from senior Kayla Persinger. Later, in the second period, Buffalo State Head Coach Rachel Grampp had seen enough: Grampp pulled Todd from the game, after the freshman allowed four goals on 19 shots.

With the contest out of reach, the physicality ramped up late in the middle frame. Cortland senior Fanny Aneborn and Buffalo State senior Vanessa Willick got tangled up near the Bengals’ bench, and both players were sent to the penalty box.

PICTURED: Cortland freshman Kylie Nolan glides toward the glass

The roughhousing spilled into the third period, when Buffalo State junior Daphne Gray punched Cortland freshman Genevieve Sbrocca. Gray was called for a minor penalty, and the Dragons immediately scored on the power play.

The final nail in the coffin came with 90 seconds remaining: Persinger scored her third goal of the evening, making the score 10-1. No caps were thrown onto the ice, though the home crowd enthusiastically cheered the hat trick.

Cortland cruises past Manhattanville

FINAL: Manhattanville 1, Cortland 3

Dragons complete weekend sweep

PICTURED: Cortland senior Fanny Aneborn scans the ice

CORTLAND, NY — Cortland couldn’t have played better in the second period. The middle frame saw three goals from the home team — all within a 10-minute span. With the game out of reach, Manhattanville added a meaningless goal late.

Late goals lift Dragons over Manhattanville

FINAL: Manhattanville 1, Cortland 3

Cortland pulls away in third period

PICTURED: Cortland junior Victoria Griffin watches the puck

CORTLAND, NY — The visiting Valiants put up a good fight against Cortland. With the score tied 1-1 midway through the third period, Cortland freshman Genevieve Sbrocca deflected the puck past Manhattanville goalie Olivia Cimorelli. The Red Dragons added an insurance goal with roughly four minutes remaining to seal the deal.

Cortland crumbles in playoff collapse

FINAL (OT): Plattsburgh 4, Cortland 3

Dragons fall in SUNYAC semifinal

PICTURED: Cortland junior Evan Beaudry looks down the ice

CORTLAND, NY — Hockey is fast. Hockey is physical.

Tonight, hockey was heartbreaking.

Up 3-0 midway through the third period, Cortland could smell victory. The cookies were puffing up in the oven, and the home team was peeking through the door glass.

Then, a whistle. Tripping was the call, and Cortland freshman Nathan Garnier puttered to the penalty box.

Plattsburgh, pouncing on the opportunity, made the score 3-1. Momentum had shifted.

Not three minutes later, the visitors scored again. There was now real, tangible concern for the Red Dragons.

Still, the clock was on Cortland’s side. As regulation wound down, the Dragons remained in the lead.

Tick, tick. Tick, tick.

The whistle blew with seven seconds left. A faceoff was coming in Cortland’s zone.

Win the draw, and the Dragons would claim victory. Plattsburgh, though, had other plans.

The visitors won the faceoff, and immediately rifled the puck past Cortland goalie Ronan Mobley. An eruption ensued in Plattsburgh’s fan section.

In overtime, the inevitable didn’t take long. Plattsburgh found the net 20 seconds in, and Cortland’s season was a wrap.

Silence swept over Alumni Arena. As the Dragons limped to the locker room, a Plattsburgh fan chirped at Mobley.

“Ronan, what happened buddy?” he jeered.

The Cortland crowd took offense.

“Don’t talk sh** to Ronan!” a fan barked.

On the ice, emotions were subdued: Cortland senior Anthony Bernardo took in the emptying arena. His teammate, senior Domenic Settimo, shed tears near the bench.

Cortland Head Coach Joe Cardarelli consoled both players in a group hug.