In a thrilling display of athletic excellence, this past Saturday was a monumental day for Cortland sports, as they claimed multiple conference championships.
Saturday in Cortland was a day of sports success and celebration. The football team secured their third consecutive Empire 8 championship, along with SUNYAC championships from women’s and men’s soccer teams, and field hockey.
Cortland’s football team secured the Empire 8 championship—defeating Brockport 41-17—for the third consecutive year. Their timing couldn’t have been more perfect, heading into the highly anticipated Cortaca week. With a resounding victory under their belts, the team enters this rivalry week with a renewed sense of confidence and momentum. Their recent success adds an extra layer of excitement and anticipation for the upcoming showdown against Ithaca.
Senior Joe Ruggieri knows the job is far from done. “Heading into this game and throughout the game, the coaches were stressing to us that the next play was the most important one. It allowed the team to focus on moving forward and forgetting any mistakes. It feels great to win the Empire 8 again, but now we need to keep moving forward and focus on what’s next. Cortaca.”
Along with the success of the football team, both the men’s and women’s soccer teams at Cortland claimed SUNYAC titles. For the women’s team, this victory marked their return to glory, securing their first SUNYAC championship since 2019. The Red Dragons defeated Brockport 3-0.
“We went through some ups and downs on the field during the season but we kept battling and pushing forward because we knew what this team was capable of. I believe this allowed us to finish strong at the end of our conference play! I am grateful to have received a personal award but, this award is a direct reflection on the team, my teammates, and all of the hard work that they have put in! We are really excited to travel to Cleveland, Ohio for the first round of the NCAA tournament,” said Bryn Thompson, who was named the game MVP.
Cortland’s men’s soccer team showcased their remarkable comeback spirit as they triumphed in the SUNYAC championship, defeating Oneonta. This victory was particularly sweet for the team, considering their disappointment last year when they fell short in the semi-finals against Brockport.
Cortland Field Hockey also managed to secure a consecutive SUNYAC title, when they defeated New Paltz 2-1 on Saturday. The Red Dragons had 4 players — Kierra Ettere, Hanna Corrigan, Madison Rice, and Gianna Trunfio (also named games MVP) — on the all-tournament team following Saturday’s victory. The field hockey team will go on to compete in their 3rd straight NCAA Division all tournament. The Red Dragons will host Stevens on Wednesday (11/8) for round 1 of the NCAA tournament.
“From August 18th onward, we’ve tirelessly dedicated ourselves to reach this pivotal point in the season. Achieving the conference championship title shows the relentless effort we’ve put in. As we step into the NCAA tournament, our emphasis will be on cherishing each day, not allowing a moment to slip by unappreciated,” said Senior Kierra Ettore.
Overall, Cortland athletes had an exceptional weekend, clinching several championships. Their hard work and skill were on full display, and their victories were a source of pride and joy for the community. It was a memorable weekend of sports success for Cortland across the board.