CORTLAND, N.Y. - After the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) saw four men's lacrosse teams compete in semifinal action on Wednesday, the 2017 SUNYAC Men's Lacrosse Championship was set. On Saturday, May 6th, top-seeded Cortland and host of this year's championship will face second-seeded Plattsburgh.
On Wednesday, the top-seeded and nationally ranked (#4) Cortland Red Dragons dismantled the fourth-seeded Geneseo Knights in Cortland, N.Y. by a score of 16-4. Led by sophomore attackman Dean Riley (4g, 2a) the Red Dragons compiled a 10-0 lead heading into the second half. Cortland also saw top performances by Nate Beresovoy (4g, 0a), Devin Phelps (2g, 4a), and Thomas McNaney (2g, 3a). In goal, junior goaltender Joe Scalise had 7 saves in 45:00 of play. The Red Dragons led in several statistical categories including Shots (56-28), Ground Balls (57-23), and Caused Turnovers (11-6). Geneseo ends their season 9-6, while Cortland extends their winning streak to seven games and a record of 15-1.
In Plattsburgh, N.Y. the second-seeded Plattsburgh Cardinals edged third-seeded Brockport by a score of 8-7. Plattsburgh junior attackman Ryan Hubbard (3g, 2a) tallied the first goal of the game (9:10) but this contest remained tight throughout. The Cardinals efforts were also led by senior midfielder Mike Gay (2g, 1a) and junior goaltender Austin Graham (7GA, 10 Saves). Similiar to the outcome of the game, the teams traded in several statistical categories; Brockport led in Shots 32-31 (17-17 SOG), Plattsburgh led in Faceoffs (30-27) and Caused Turnovers (8-5). The Golden Eagles end their season 8-6, while the Cardinals advance to the SUNYAC Championship and improve to 11-5.
On Saturday, the Cortland Red Dragons (#1) and Plattsburgh Cardinals (#2) will play each other once again in the SUNYAC Championship. These teams last met in similiar fashion during the 2015 SUNYAC Men's Lacrosse Championship, where Cortland claimed a 14-12 victory and the program's 24th SUNYAC Championship. On the verge of earning their 26th SUNYAC Championship, Cortland looks poised entering NCAA postseason play as the fourth ranked team in the nation. Plattsburgh seeks its first SUNYAC Championship as the second-seeded Cardinals head to Cortland, N.Y. this Saturday.
This season, Cortland and Plattsburgh met in their respective regular season finales (April 29th) with the top-seed on the line, which saw the Red Dragons edge the Cardinals in a 12-9 contest. The Cardinals look to avenge their loss and a chance to gain the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament.
