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.

Hot start propels Cortland over Morrisville

FINAL: Morrisville 0, Cortland 2

Dragons prevail after quick score

PICTURED: Cortland junior Ella Iwinski slaps the puck to center ice

CORTLAND, NY — Cortland came out firing in the first period. The Red Dragons dotted 17 shots on goal in the opening frame, including one that whizzed past Morrisville goalie Elizabeth Timby. A good ol’ fashion drubbing was on the way.

However, the Mustangs would not go down without a fight. Morrisville opened the middle frame with multiple shot attempts and more physicality. The pushing and shoving spilled into the third period, when Morrisville freshman Madison Lawrence and Cortland senior Natalie O’Brien picked up penalties for roughing.

In the end, the Dragons were too much to handle. An empty-net goal extended Cortland’s lead and the Morrisville bus began warming up. A visiting team would again leave Cortland without the crown.