CORTLAND, N.Y. — The SUNY Cortland Red Dragons’ women’s soccer team clinched a decisive 6-0 victory over the SUNY Canton Roos Wednesday evening at Holloway Field, powered by a hat-trick from junior forward Tyla Vuotto. The win ensured the Red Dragons a berth in the upcoming SUNYAC Women’s Soccer Semifinals and left Canton still searching for its first win of the season. Photo Credit: Strictly Photos
Vuotto’s three-goal performance boosted her season total to six, placing her second on the team in scoring. She provided the spark early, slotting home a strike in the 10th minute to break the deadlock. The puck-drop came after sustained pressure in the opponent’s 18-yard box forced a defensive mis-clear that Vuotto converted with a clinical finish into the top right corner.
Though the first half remained relatively tight, the Red Dragons began to dominate in the second. Just 20 seconds after the restart, freshman midfielder Leah Rehm broke through on a through-ball into the box, dribbled around the goalkeeper, and slotted the ball into the net to make it 2-0.
Shortly thereafter, Vuotto struck twice in quick succession: first after a headed rebound from a free kick, then again just over a minute later thanks to a precise throw-in from Piper Klammer and a cross from Rehm. The rapid trio of goals established a commanding 4-0 lead within the first six minutes of the second half.
The Red Dragons did not let up. In the 49th minute, sophomore midfielder Devyn Kelly intercepted a goal kick, maneuvered past a marker, and unleashed a powerful shot from outside the 18-yard area to make it 5-0. And in the 58th minute, freshman defender Ashlynn McGrorty notched the final tally with a header off a second-chance cross, marking her first collegiate goal.
Defensively, Cortland was equally dominant. The Roos were held without a shot on target for the full 90 minutes, extending the Red Dragons’ school-record shutout streak to 11 games and 1,014 minutes + 11 seconds of play without conceding. Goalkeeper Olivia Rouse managed the clean sheet, while Canton’s keeper, Mackenzie Ryan, recorded 19 saves.
Statistically, Cortland outshot Canton 39–3 overall, with 26 shots on goal compared to none for the Roos. The Red Dragons also enjoyed 13 corner kicks and forced three offsides, while committing nine fouls to Canton’s two.
With the victory, Cortland improved to 10-2-4 overall and 6-0-1 in conference play, while Canton remains winless at 0-16-0 and 0-8-0 in the SUNYAC. The result punched Cortland’s ticket to the SUNYAC semifinals.
The team can secure the regular-season conference title with a win or a draw in either of its remaining two games. Saturday at SUNY Potsdam Bears or the following Tuesday at SUNY Oneonta Red Dragons.
Looking ahead, Cortland will aim to maintain this momentum as October winds down. With postseason aspirations in view, the ability to dominate weaker conference foes while staying sharp remains key.
In the meantime, the Red Dragons can bask in a statement win and the knowledge that their defensive fortress remains intact even as their attack shows firepower. The next step: secure the title and carry that full-speed form into the playoffs.