The Cortland Red Dragons started out their season with a dominant 15-7 win over St John Fisher.
The attack unit led the way, accounting for 10 goals in the game.
Cortland’s victory over St. John Fisher was not just about the score line but also about the presence that they displayed on the field. From the start, Cortland set the tone with their aggressive play.
The Dragon’s offensive power was evident throughout the game, as they constantly pressured the St. John Fisher defense with quick ball movement and sharpshooting. The starting attack unit showed great chemistry, often finding each other to create scoring opportunities.
Sam Rothman was the standout performer for Cortland, scoring four goals and adding an assist. Caden Yancy also had a stellar three goals and three assists. Kole Stuver chipped in with three goals and two assists.
Other notable contributors for Cortland included Klay Stuver with two goals, Ryan Scanlon with a goal and two assists, Josh Michel with a goal and an assist, and Ryan Eccels with a goal.
Defensively, Cortland was equally as impressive, with goalie Travis Wagner who stood tall for Cortland, making 13 saves. Yancy, Alex Thrasher, and Aidan McHugh each collected three ground balls. The defense applied constant pressure on the St. John Fisher offense, forcing turnovers and limiting their scoring opportunities.
Despite losing the faceoff battle, Cortland managed to capitalize on the possessions they did win, showing efficiency and composure in their offensive sets. The Red Dragons also showcased their discipline and adaptability, as they were able to maintain their lead and control of the game despite facing penalties. Their extra-man offense was effective, converting two out of four opportunities.
For St John Fisher, Sean Donaldson and Brett Seaman led the scoring with two goals each. Jordan Leuze tallied a goal and two assists, while Timmy Salit registered a goal and an assist. Brady Mason added a goal to round out the scoring for the Cardinals.
In the goalkeeping department, Ben Hammond started for St. John Fisher, making four saves in the first half, while Tyler Manning stopped three shots in the second half.
Logan Grom had an impressive performance, winning 12-of-18 faceoffs and collecting nine ground balls.
Cortland’s strong offensive performance was reflected in the shot column, where they outshot St. John Fisher 32 to 29.
Overall, Cortland’s performance in their season opener was a display of skill, teamwork, and determination. With this victory, Cortland starts their season 1-0, while St. John Fisher falls to 1-2. Cortland will look to carry this momentum forward as they host Scranton for the team’s first home game.