CORTLAND, N.Y. – The Cortland men's soccer team scored a goal in each half in earning a 2-0 win versus Elmira College Thursday night at the Stadium Complex in the season-opening game for both teams.

Senior Nick Tata (Rochester/Aquinas Institute) and freshman Derek Beers (Franklin) netted the goals for the Red Dragons with junior Ma'Cain Spragling (Akron, OH/Brush) and sophomore Chris Hettler (Hauppauge/Smithtown West) each recording an assist.

Senior goalie Joe Brandofino (East Northport/Commack) made two saves for Cortland in earning the shutout. Elmira freshman goalie Jacob Liese (Massapequa) turned aside six shots.

Tata gave the Red Dragons a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute. After taking a pass from Spragling on the right side, he set up a bending left-footed shot that snuck inside the right post.

In the second half, the Soaring Eagles' best chance to draw even came in the 53rd minute. Junior Michael Bryant (Portola Hills, CA/El Toro) struck a shot from the middle of the box that Brandofino denied and eventually corralled.

Beers added an insurance goal in the 78th minute. Hettler served a corner kick , one of 18 for Cortland, deep into the box where Beers ran onto a clean header that beat Liese. 
  
Cortland 2, Elmira 0

Scoring Summary (Goals-Assists):
Elmira: no scoring
Cortland: Nick Tata 1-0, Derek Beers 1-0, Ma'Cain Spragling 0-1, Chris Hettler 0-1

Halftime: Cortland 1, Elmira 0
Shots: Cortland 16, Elmira 8
Corner Kicks: Cortland 18, Elmira 2
Fouls: Elmira 17, Cortland 12
Saves: Jacob Liese (Elmira) 6 (2 GA in 90:00); Joe Brandofino (Cortland) 2 (0 GA in 90:00)

Record after game: Cortland (Red Dragons) 1-0, Elmira (Soaring Eagles) 0-1