The reigning SUNYAC champions have hit the pitch in stride, opening up the 2025-2026 season on the right foot. The Red Dragons have put together multiple quality wins in hopes of a deep playoff push later in the year. Photo Credit: Strictly Photos
The experience of a heartbreaking loss is like a rite of passage for great teams before reaching the mountain top in collegiate sports. In the 2024-2025 NCAA National tournament, Cortland suffered that experience after losing to Messiah 4-3 on penalty kicks in the first round. Since returning to play, it’s been nothing but business on the field for the Red Dragons through the first portion of their season.
In the first two games of the new campaign, Cortland handled Rochester with a 4-0 win and squeezed a close one out against St. Lawrence, 2-1. The senior forward Josh Carrol scored two goals in the Rochester win. Owen Brant and Flavio Di Santo both chipped in by scoring a goal and their first collegiate career goals as well. Jordan Ott, the senior goalkeeper, had five saves on the day to keep a clean sheet. In the St. Lawrence matchup, the late-game heroics of Shay Daly assisted Cortland to a win. Being down in the second half was not an ideal situation, but the club’s composure prevailed. After conceding a goal in the 58th minute, Daly, the sophomore defender from Elwood, would score two goals in the second half. Owen Brant and Gabe Garcia both logged an assist in this match, and after scoring twice, Daly and the Red Dragons did not allow the St. Lawrence Saints to shoot an on-target attempt for the last 8 minutes of the game.
Following their outstanding road trip, the team returned home to protect T. Fred Holloway Field against the number 23-ranked Vassar College. Cortland jumped out to a 1-0 lead right before the half, with Sam LaMendola scoring a shot into the left corner of the goal. Early in the second half, the Red Dragons scored again after senior midfielder Scott Schuyler assisted Josh Carrol, putting them up 2-0. Vessar would not go away quietly, as they would score in the 66th minute, pushing to tie the game at 2-1. Fortunately, the scoring efforts would fizzle out from there with Cortland hanging on to win. It was right back on the road to New Jersey, where the Red Dragons faced Rowan University, the second-ranked team in the country. This nail-biting match came down to the wire. In the 81st minute, Rowan would score on a rebound shot to put them up 1-0. That would be the only score of the game, and Rowan handed Cortland their first loss of the season.
A few days later, Cortland would play St Joseph’s (L.I) and Manhattanville, winning those games 4-0 and 3-0, respectively. The Red Dragons will finish their non-conference schedule out against Ithaca College and Scranton University. SUNYAC play begins on September 27th when Cortland will travel to New Paltz to face the Hawks.