SANFORD, FLA. – The nationally second-ranked Cortland men's lacrosse team opened up a 9-5 halftime lead and held on late to defeat Clarkson, 13-11, Saturday afternoon at Sylvan lake Park in Sanford, Fla. The Red Dragons improved to 4-0 with the win, while the Golden Knights suffered their first loss and fell to 2-1.

Junior Brandon Misiaszek (New Hartford) led the Red Dragons with a career-high four goals. Freshman Mike Tota (Webster/Webster Schroeder) had three goals and an assist, sophomore Chris DeLuca (Sayville) scored three goals, sophomore Jay DiStefano (Huntington/Harborfields) contributed a career-best four assists and freshman Greg Wright (Irondequoit) chipped in with a goal and an assist. Juniors Tom Burke (Massapequa) and Brian Krol (Niskayuna) each netted a goal. Senior goalie Matt Hipenbecker (Mountain Lakes, NJ) stopped nine shots.

DeLuca also won 14-of-20 faceoffs, while freshman Justin Battino (Plainview) won 5-of-6. Burke and sophomore Eric Parah (Baldwinsville/C.W. Baker) each collected six ground balls for the Red Dragons.

Senior attackman Tom Ross (Adams/Soth Jefferson) led Clarkson with four goals, while classmate Greg Gibbons (Baldwinsville/C.W. Baker) added three goals and two assists. Senior defenseman (Auburn) picked up a game-high 11 ground balls for the Knights.

Clarkson jumped out to a 4-1 lead after the first quarter, but the Red Dragons responded by outscoring the Golden Knights, 8-1, in the second quarter for a 9-5 lead at intermission. Cortland outscored Clarkson, 3-2, in the third quarter and the Red Dragons led 12-7. Clarkson, however, rallied for three straight goals to start the fourth quarter and trailed 12-10 before Cortland stopped the run with a goal for a 13-10 lead late in the game. After a Cortland shot hit the pipe, the Golden Knights gained possession and scored inside of two minutes to pull to within 13-11. Cortland was able to run out most of the remaining clock to hold on for the win.

The Red Dragons return to action on Saturday, Mar. 21, when they host unbeaten Ithaca at 1 p.m.

Cortland 13, Clarkson 11

GAME SUMMARY:
Team                            1-2-3-4    Final
Cortland (4-0)              1-8-3-1    13
Clarkson (2-1)             4-1-2-4    11

Scoring (Goals-Assists):
Cortland: Brandon Misiaszek 4-0, Mike Tota 3-1, Chris DeLuca 3-0, Greg Wright 1-1, Tom Burke 1-0, Brian Krol 1-0, Jay DiStefano 0-4, Joey Morgan 0-1
Clarkson: Tom Ross 4-0, Greg Gibbons 3-2, Bryan Huff 1-1, Jon Cathcart 1-1, Tyler Long 1-0, Erik Hilfinger 1-0, Brian Hoey 0-1

Goalkeepers:
Cortland: Matt Hipenbecker, 9 saves (11 GA in 60:00)
Clarkson: John Svoren, 13 saves (13 GA in 60:00)
Shots: Cortland 42, Clarkson 28
Ground Balls: Cortland 53, Clarkson 43
Clears: Cortland 15-of-17, Clarkson 14-of-25
Faceoffs Won: Cortland 19, Clarkson 8
Penalties: Cortland 5-3:30
Extra-Man Offense: Cortland 2-4, Clarkson 0-5