Cortland Standard .net

A fast start and a gritty finish paved the way for a crucial non-conference victory for the streaking SUNY Cortland women’s lacrosse team on Sunday.
After building an 8-2 first half lead against Tufts, the Red Dragons came up big down the stretch to secure their ninth straight win in this non-conference clash of nationally-ranked teams.
The Stadium Complex visitors from Massachusetts pulled to within 10-7 with with just under eight minutes left to play when Cortland regained control, as senior Emma Hayes-Hurley, junior Ashley Gentile and sophomore Kristen Ohberg each scored unassisted goals to give the Red Dragons some breathing room.
Junior Carolina Ross scored her third goal of the game for Tufts with 2:41 to play before Hayes-Hurley finished off a three-goal performance with four seconds left for the final winning margin.
The Red Dragons have not lost since a 13-11 setback in Maryland against Salisbury back on March 22, Coach Kelly Lickert-Orr’s club now 12-1 on the season after coming into the game ranked fifth nationally in Division III.
It capped a disappointing weekend for 10th-ranked Tufts (9-4), as the Jumbos had dropped a close 9-7 game at Hamilton College on Saturday prior to taking on the Red Dragons.
Gentile finished with four goals, while junior Nicole Bello matched teammate Hayes-Hurley’s three-goal production. Junior Tara Monaghan and Ohberg each recorded two goals and one assist, and senior Marilyn Farrell contributed two assists.
Cortland held a 32-17 shot edge, as sophomore goalie Jaclyn Beshlian finished with four saves — all in the second half. Gentile collected four ground balls, three draw controls and two caused turnovers, Hayes-Hurley won eight draws and Monaghan secured three draws.
The Red Dragons built a 5-1 lead just before the midway point of the first half, highlighted by a three-goal run from Gentile. After Tuft’s Kali DiGate made it a 5-2 game, Cortland took an 8-2 advantage as three different players found the back of the net.
The Jumbos closed the half with a goal by Jenn Duffy at 3:13 and DiGate’s second score just before the horn, and the Red Dragons led, 8-4.
Ross sandwiched a pair of goals around a Bello score to bring Tufts to within 9-6 with 22:50 remaining in the game. Ohberg and and Tuft’s Callie Nowak then traded goals and Cortland led 10-7 before pulling away.
Cortland’s four seniors — Farrell, Hayes-Hurley, Melissa Halstead and Chelsea Martin — were honored prior to the game.
Cortland 17, Oswego 1: On Saturday, the Red Dragons were 14-0 halftime leaders before beating visiting Oswego 17-1 in a SUNY Athletic Conference romp.
Hayes-Hurley had four goals and an assist, Ohberg three goals and Farrell three assists and a goal as Cortland cruised. Monaghan recorded two goals and two assists while Elise Bennett tallied twice to go along with an assist.
Oswego (4-8) spoiled the shutout bid with a second half Erannan Shattuck goal with 8:33 left to play — the Lakers trailing 16-zip at the time.
Cortland will make a conference visit to Brockport Tuesday, a 4 p.m. start.