Dragons outbattle Buffalo State

FINAL: Buffalo State 0, Cortland 4

Dragons bloody the Bengals

PICTURED: Cortland sophomore McKenzie Brown eyes the puck

CORTLAND, NY — Donning jerseys that looked like the American flag, Cortland bombed away on Buffalo State. The Red Dragons’ relentless attack produced at least a goal in all three periods. The most impressive snipe came in the final frame, when Cortland grad student Taryn Raisanen fired a long-distance wrist shot into the net.

Dragons outsharp Cardinals in home opener

FINAL: Plattsburgh 0, Cortland 2

Cortland’s defense holds strong

PICTURED: Cortland senior Mia Hlasnick slices up the ice

CORTLAND, NY — Senior goalie Molly Goergen made sure the Red Dragons never squandered the lead. With a one-goal advantage in the second period, Goergen transformed into a vacuum during a penalty kill. The Minnesota native made two more fantastic stops late in the final frame, including an outstretched kick save, to secure the win.

Hlasnick optimistic after Dragons ousted

FINAL: Elmira 3, Cortland 1

Cortland expects to come back strong

PICTURED: Cortland junior Mia Hlasnick smiles at Alumni Arena

CORTLAND, NY — One of the Red Dragons’ top point scorers is keeping the glass half-full.

After falling to Elmira in the first round of the NCAA playoffs, junior Mia Hlasnick said the team was “just really excited” to be there. The game marked Cortland’s first-ever appearance in the national tournament.

Though they came up short, Hlasnick said the Dragons had several scoring chances. One came in the second period after a rebound in Elmira’s zone.

“Their goalie came out of nowhere and made a save with her stick,” she said.

Hlasnick adds scoring opportunities were plentiful this season, thanks in large part to Cortland’s younger players.

“They brought so much to the table for us,” she said. “The success that we’re building as a program is going to help us get even better players for the future.”

Dragons upset Cardinals in conference final

FINAL (OT): Cortland 2, Plattsburgh 1

Dragons rain on Plattsburgh’s parade

PICTURED: Cortland grad student Elena Eichmann protects the puck from Plattsburgh freshman Zsofia Pazmandi

PLATTSBURGH, NY — Two minutes into the game, the home crowd groaned when Cortland goalie Molly Goergen made a great kick save. The Plattsburgh faithful again grumbled during the second intermission, when Burghy the mascot pushed a center-ice shot wide right. But the Cardinals would experience ultimate disappointment in overtime, when Cortland grad student Elena Eichmann delivered the game-winning goal.

Filighera previews conference FINAL vs. Plattsburgh

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.”