CORTLAND - Ninth-ranked SUNY Cortland scored two goals in each half and posted a 4-1 victory over the University of Rochester in field hockey.
The Red Dragons got goals four minutes apart early in the second half to pull away from a 2-1 halftime lead. It was the season-opener for both teams.
Christi Bottcher scored the Yellowjacket goal, knocking in a pass from Tara Gelb. Danielle Pearson made 10 saves for Rochester. Ashley Hughes made three saves for Cortland. The Red Dragons held a 23-5 advantage in shots and an 11-8 edge in penalty corners.
Cortland opened the scoring at 9:02 when Sara Woodward steered home a rebound. Rochester got even four and a half minutes later. Gelb's pass found Bottcher at the top of the circle and she drove a shot off the defender and into the cage at 13:36.
Danielle Groneman put Cortland ahead at 21:58 by deflecting the ball past Pearson. Christine McCabe made it 3-1 at 49:01 and Kirstin McGurl completed the scoring on a rebound at 53:28.
Rochester plays its next three matches in Fauver Stadium. The Yellowjacket home opener is set for Saturday at 11 am against Ohio Wesleyan. Rochester plays Nazareth on Wednesday at 7 pm and hosts Geneseo on Friday at 4 pm.