SCRANTON, PA – In a standout performance that solidified his place in Cortland lacrosse history, Travis Wagner (Penfield) recorded 16 saves to break the program’s career saves record, leading the Red Dragons to a decisive 14-8 victory over Scranton on Saturday afternoon. The win marks Cortland’s fifth consecutive triumph, improving their season record to 5-1, while Scranton continues to seek their first win, falling to 0-7.
Wagner’s milestone came with his 691st career save, surpassing the previous record of 690 held by Steve Feltmann from 2000 to 2003. Wagner tied the record with a save on Myles McCutcheon with 5:42 remaining and broke it with a crucial stop against Pat McCormack with just over a minute left in the game.
Red Dragons Dominate
Sean Kavanagh (North Canton, OH/Hoover) led the offensive charge with four goals and an assist, while Nick Stoecker (East Setauket/Ward Melville) contributed two goals and three assists. Kole Stuver (Fairport) added three goals, and Sam Rothman (Dix Hills/Half Hallow Hills East) tallied two. Frank Neeson (Orchard Park) provided key support with two assists.
Cortland showcased a balanced approach on both ends of the field. Alex Thrasher (Vestal), Tucker Macknik (Baldwinsville/C.W. Baker), Ryan Scanlon (Cornelius, NC/William Amos Hough), and Nicky Miltenberger (Ridge/Longwood) each collected four ground balls. Defensive pressure came from Thrasher, Dino Bowen (Yorktown), and Christian Lembo (Farmingdale), who all registered two caused turnovers.
Game Breakdown
Cortland wasted no time, scoring just seven seconds into the game. Jack O’Brien (Babylon) won the opening faceoff and found Stoecker, who fired the first goal. Scranton responded quickly, tying the game a minute later. The teams traded goals, with Rothman and Kavanagh contributing for Cortland, but Scranton managed to edge ahead 4-3 by the end of the first quarter, thanks to an extra-man goal from Quinn Carson.
Scranton extended its lead to 5-3 early in the second quarter after another man-up opportunity. However, Cortland closed the half strong, with Stuver, Scanlon, and Stoecker scoring to tie the game 6-6 at halftime.
The third quarter saw Cortland pull away, shutting out Scranton 4-0. Kavanagh sparked the run with two quick goals, followed by tallies from Nathan Nagengast (Bay Shore) and Stuver. The Red Dragons entered the final quarter with a commanding 10-6 lead.
In the fourth, Kavanagh, Rothman, and Stuver pushed the lead to 13-6. Although Scranton added two late goals, Wagner’s record-breaking save sealed the win. Caden Morra (Farmingdale/Plainedge) added the final touch, scoring with just 37 seconds left.
Stat Highlights
- Scoring Leaders for Cortland: Kavanagh (4-1), Stoecker (2-3), Stuver (3-0), Rothman (2-0), Neeson (0-2), Nagengast (1-0), Morra (1-0), Scanlon (1-0), O’Brien (0-1).
- Scranton’s Top Performers: Kyle Holmes (2-1), Pat McCormack (2-1), Myles McCutcheon (1-1), Jason Kozak (1-0), Riley Kahill (1-0), Quinn Carson (1-0), Cooper Roberts (0-1).
- Goalkeepers: Wagner totaled 16 saves for Cortland, allowing eight goals in 60 minutes. Scranton’s Carsen Kirchner made seven saves, conceding 11 goals, while Jake Dagata added one save with three goals allowed.
- Team Stats: Scranton edged Cortland in shots (44-40), but Cortland led in ground balls (40-39). Scranton narrowly led in turnovers (15-16), while Cortland excelled in clears (23-of-25).
Looking Ahead
Cortland will aim to extend its winning streak against Muhlenberg on March 19, with the faceoff scheduled for 5 p.m. Fans can follow the game through live stats and streaming.
For Wagner and the Red Dragons, the victory was more than just another win—it was a historic moment in a season that’s shaping up to be one for the record books.