For the first time in SUNY Cortland history, all five team sports that compete in the fall have earned a spot in their respective NCAA tournaments.
It’s an unprecedented feat that will see the field hockey, football, volleyball, and men’s and women’s soccer teams all take to the NCAA Division III national stage to showcase the talent of SUNY Cortland’s student-athletes and staff.
“While we have been graced with long-standing success in many of our sports seasons, to have five of our fall teams qualify for the NCAA’s in the same season for the first time in school history is something to get excited about,” said Director of Athletics Mike Urtz ’94 M ’00. “It’s truly impressive and shows how blessed we are to have such a fine staff of coaches here at Cortland right now. We hope for more great stories like this in the winter and spring seasons as well.”
Each team has begun its tournament or will begin soon:
Field Hockey:
The field hockey team (14-4) traveled to Cambridge, Massachusetts, to take on MIT in the first round of the NCAA Division IIII tournament on Wednesday, Nov 9. The game, scheduled to start at 4 p.m., marks the team’s second straight trip to the national tourney and 30th overall, winning national titles in 1993, 1994, and 2001 and taking second place in 1997.
Motivated by head coach Tiffany Hubbard, this Red Dragon squad gained momentum through the season, winning eight of its last nine games on its way to a State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) championship.
Football:
The 2022 Cortaca Jug contest at Yankee Stadium looms for the football squad, but the ninth-ranked Red Dragons (9-0) are already on their way to the NCAA tournament after an undefeated 6-0 Empire 8 season.
The team’s last win set a program record with 19 consecutive regular-season victories. This year the Red Dragons have yet to trail in a game.
Following their traditional showdown with the Ithaca College Bombers on Saturday, Nov. 12, the Red Dragons open the national Division III tournament the following week, Nov. 19, with their opponent yet to be announced.
Volleyball:
After claiming the SUNYAC crown for the second straight year, the women’s volleyball team (21-5) heads to an eight-team regional at Juanita College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. The Red Dragons face off against Rowan University on Thursday, Nov. 10, at 5:30 p.m. to kick off their NCAA Division III tournament.
It is the 26th time that the team has competed in the national tournament and continues its strong play under fourth-year head coach Erin Glickert.
Men’s Soccer:
The Red Dragon men (12-5-2) take to the field in a four-team regional hosted by Franklin and Marshall College on Saturday, Nov. 12, and Sunday, Nov. 13. They’re making their 24th NCAA tournament appearance and sixth since 2014.
The team, under head coach Steve Axtell, won the SUNYAC regular-season championship.
Women’s Soccer:
Under the leadership of 19th-year head coach Heidi Axtell, the Red Dragons (13-1-4) are heading to the NCAA playoffs for the second time in three seasons, making their 14th NCAA Division III tournament appearance and 19th overall national tournament showing. They host a four-team regional on Saturday, Nov. 12, and Sunday, Nov. 13 at Holloway Field.
Cortland hosts Wesleyan University Saturday at 1:30 p.m. after Penn State Berks and Messiah University meet at 11 a.m. The two winners advance to the second round at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].