Box Score

The Albright College men's lacrosse team had good possession throughout, but #3 Cortland State was more precise early on in a 12-4 season opener at Shirk Stadium.

The Red Dragons are ranked #3 in the nation after sitting in the #1 spot for much of their one-loss 2013 campaign.

Albright won the first three faceoffs but quickly fell behind 3-0. After T.J. Holston was saved on a power play, Cortland came right down and scored in transition.

Bryan Smith ripped a shot just wide after Darian Meador took the second draw, but after a Lion turnover the Red Dragons countered and struck again.

Mike Maxwell was saved and Cortland defenseman Mike Warner went on the counterattack. His first chance was saved by goalie Jordan DiZenzo but he was able to pick up the ground ball and flip the rebound in for a 3-0 scoreline.

After the Lions came up empty on another man-up chance, Matt Rakoczy shot from outside to make it 4-0. Nate Garbarino assisted Cody Consul's goal with 3:19 remaining in the first quarter for a 7-0 Cortland lead.

Albright was man-up early in the second quarter but couldn't get a shot on goal after two misses and a turnover. Philip Potter finally got the Lions on the board 37 seconds before halftime, as each side scored once in the second quarter.

The Lions entered the matchup with numerous ties to Cortland. Albright head coach Jake Plunket won a national championship there as an assistant coach in 2006. Lions star junior Phil Potter is a Cortland High School grad, and was joined by his younger brother Andrew Potter for the first time in a college game- two of the three Albright players from the town of Cortland.

Each Potter brother had a goal, while Holston and freshman Cam Cetrone also tallied for the Red and White.

DiZenzo made 17 saves, and Meador won 13-of-20 faceoffs while picking up eight ground balls.

Garbarino led Cortland with two goals and three assists. Warner picked up seven ground balls and goalie Scott Tota stopped 12 shots on goal.

The Lions are off until next weekend, when they travel to Arcadia (who is competing in the Freedom Conference for lacrosse). Albright's next home game won't be any easier, as the Red and White welcome defending national champion and #1 Stevenson to Shirk Stadium on March 8.