CORTLAND. N.Y. – Cortland State University claimed its first women's lacrosse victory of the season with a 20-9 triumph over the University of Rochester on the Red Dragons' field on Friday afternoon. It was Rochester's first loss of the season and the first time the Yellowjackets have played a full game since an opening day win ove3r D'Youville College on February 23. Rochester is 1-1. Cortland, ranked #21 in the current Division III Coaches' Poll, is 1-2.
 
Rochester fell behind, 5-1, and trailed, 7-2 at the end of the first quarter. The Red Dragons held a 14-3 shot advantage, 10-3 in shots on goal, collected nine ground balls to Rochester's three pickups, and won seven of 10 draw controls. Rochester was challenged by trying to clear the ball under Cortland pressure. They were successful on two of eight attempts. Cortland was good on four of five.
 
In the second quarter, the Yellowjackets reorganized and played more like themselves. Brooke Fiannaca and Emma Little scored in the first three minutes. After a Cortland goal by Toni Cashman made it 8-4, Rochester answered with goals from Mia Perkell (set up by Lucy Haggerty) and Grace Crochiere to move within two goals, 8-6, with 2:25 to go.
 
Cortland struck for what turned out to be the crucial goals in the last 80 seconds of the quarter. Cashman set up Emily Goebel for a 9-6 lead with 1:20 to go and Lauren Hopsicker, who matched Cashman's six goals, made it 10-6 with 11 seconds to go. Cortland went on a 6-1 tear for much of the third period (6-2 overall) and led, 16-8 after three.

 
For Rochester, Fiannaca scored three goals. Crochiere and Little had two goals each. Gracie Giannettino scored one goal and set up three others. Crochiere added one assist as did Lucy Haggerty. Perkell had one goal.
 
In goal, Ava Saffren played the first three quarters (45:00). She allowed 16 goals and made seven saves,. Sami Dinhofer played in the fourth quarter (four goals allowed, one save). Cortland's Paige Potter allowed nine goals and made seven saves for the W.
 
Rochester's general stats numbers improved after the first period. The Yellowjackets were successful on 10 of their last 13 clears (12-21 for the game), They won 13 draw controls (Cortland had 20) and grabbed 16 ground balls (23 for the hosts).
 
UR is scheduled to open its Liberty League season on March 16 against RIT in the Brian Prince Athletic Complex, Edwin Fauver Stadium in particular. St. Lawrence will come to the stadium in eight days – on March 19 – to face UR. The makeup with SUNY Oneonta is scheduled for March 21. UR and Hamilton will talk about finding room to complete this week's game that was postponed after one quarter in Clinton, NY with UR ahead, 4-2.