CORTLAND, NY - Junior Brian Krol (Niskayuna) and freshman Mike Tota (Webster/Webster Schroeder) each scored four goals as nationally seventh-ranked Cortland rolled to a 25-3 win versus Oswego Wednesday afternoon in the semifinals of the SUNYAC Tournament. Krol also added four assists for a game-high and career-best eight points for the Red Dragons, who improved to 14-2 with the win and advanced to face Geneseo in the finals on Saturday at 1 p.m. with an NCAA automatic playoff berth on the line. The Lakers' season ended at 8-9 after earning the third seed in the conference tournament with a 5-2 mark.
Overall, 14 different players scored at least one goal and 18 players picked up at least a point for Cortland. Sophomore Matt Evanchak (Syracuse/West Genesee) and freshman Greg Wright (Irondequoit) had two goals and an assist each, while junior Brandon Misiaszek (New Hartford) and freshmen Brendan Bellew (Baldwin) and Zack Mulvaney (Deferiet/Carthage) scored two goals apiece. Senior Joey Morgan (Putnam Valley) reached 100 career points with a goal and an assist. Juniors Tom Burke (Massapequa) and Neal Hopps (Akwesasne/Massena) also contributed one goal and one assist.
Cortland's four goalies split time in the cage. Senior Matt Hipenbecker (Mountain Lakes, NJ) played the first 37 minutes, 10 seconds and stopped three shots. Senior Mike Robinson (Alexandria, VA/Thomas Edison) played 12:35, followed by freshman Kyle Gaebel (Deferiet/Carthage), who played 8:45 and sophomore Mike Diamond (Farmingdale), who earned time over the final 1:30. The last three goalies did not make a save. Sophomore Chris DeLuca (Sayville) won 12-of-13 faceoffs, with Cortland winning 23-of-32 in the game.
Sophomore Marcus Peworchik (Horseheads/Elmira Notre Dame) and freshmen Brad Teal (Williamsville/Williamsville East) and Britt Leone (Schenectady) each scored a goal for the Lakers. Senior Mike Brewster (East Syracuse/East Syracuse-Minoa), junior Dan Scarazzo (Fairport) and sophomore Max Matarese (Port Jefferson Station/Comsewogue) collected one assist each. Junior Judd Robinson (Guilderland) made 14 saves over the first 45 minutes. Junior Zach Harris (Fairport) stopped two shots in 13:30 and freshman Tom Gropp (Fairport) did not register a save over the final 1:30.
Cortland took control of the game early, building a 6-0 lead just 6:40 into the game and a 9-1 advantage at the end of the first quarter. Tota picked up three goals and Krol had two goals and three assists in the opening stanza. The Red Dragons stretched the lead to 14-1 at the half as five different players found the back of the net.
The lead grew to 21-2 at the end of three quarters as Cortland's bench emptied. The Red Dragons outscored the Lakers, 4-1, in the fourth quarter.
(game story courtesy of Cortland State sports information office)
