READING, P.A. – The nationally-second ranked Cortland men's soccer team fell behind early on the road, and saw its comeback bid fall just short in a 3-2 defeat to Alvernia on Saturday evening. The Red Dragons suffered their first defeat of the year, falling to 5-1-1, while Alvernia improved to 4-1-1.
 
Jack Sargeant (Mineola) and Jack Pinnata (Plainview/Plainview-Old Bethpage) each scored their first goals of the year for Cortland, with Cade Denlinger (Elizabethtown, PA/Elizabethtown Area) and Yasin Choukri (Wilton, CT) each recording an assist. Jordan Ott (Fort Worth, TX/Southwest Christian) made three saves in goal. The Red Dragons outshot Alvernia 28-8 in the contest. 
 
Ryan Cogill scored twice to lead Alvernia, while Dominic Flowers had the third goal for the Wolves. Connor Kraycik was credited with an assist. In goal, Evan Solley made nine saves to secure the victory.
 
It was a nightmare start for the Red Dragons, conceding a goal just 20 seconds into the contest after Cogill found the back of the net off of Kraycik's assist. The Wolves added a second goal in the 18th minute on just their third shot attempt, as Flowers scored an unassisted goal. The Red Dragons sent five shots on goal in the first half, but Solley was able to make all five saves, as Cortland trailed 2-0 into halftime. 
 
The Wolves extended their lead early in the second half on a penalty kick after a foul in the box, as Cogill capitalized on the spot kick for his second goal of the game. The Red Dragons increased the pressure, and Sargeant was able to net a goal in the 68th minute to make it 3-1. Denlinger recorded an assist on the goal for his second helper of the year. 
 
Encouraged by the goal, Cortland continued to press forward, and the Red Dragons pulled to within a goal with just over 10 minutes remaining, as Choukri passed to Pinnata for a chance that the senior was able to knock into the back of the net. 
 
Cortland had six shot attempts in the final 10 minutes while searching for an equalizer, with Alvernia dropping back to defend the lead, but Solley was able to stop two more attempts on target, as Cortland ran out of time to tie the score. 
 
Alvernia 3, Cortland 2
 
Scoring Summary (Goals-Assists):
Alvernia: Ryan Cogill 2-0, Dominic Flowers 1-0, Connor Kraycik 0-1
Cortland: Jack Sargeant 1-0, Jack Pinnata 1-0, Cade Denlinger 0-1, Yasin Choukri 0-1

Halftime: Alvernia 2, Cortland 0
Shots: Cortland 28, Alvernia 8
Corner Kicks: Cortland 5, Alvernia 4
Fouls: Alvernia 15, Cortland 12
 
Saves: Jordan Ott (Cortland) 3 saves (3 GA in 90:00), Evan Solley (Alvernia) 9 saves (2 GA in 90:00)

Records after game: Cortland (Red Dragons) 5-1-1 (ranked 2nd nationally in Div. III); Alvernia (Wolves) 4-1-1