05/14/2026
In a historic spring sweep, SUNY Cortland’s Athletics Department left no doubt about the top program in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC).
Claiming all six spring titles in the SUNYAC, the winning teams were baseball, men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse, softball, and men’s and women’s outdoor track and field.
In addition, women’s golf won the top spot in the Northeast Women’s Golf Conference (NWGC), bringing seven trophies back to campus.
It’s only the second time any school has swept the SUNYAC spring titles — SUNY Cortland previously accomplished the feat in 2013 — and the first time in a spring season that the university has won seven conference titles.
“Seven championships in one spring doesn’t happen by accident,” said Mike Urtz, director of athletics. “It is the result of a powerful synergy between our dedicated coaches, our elite student-athletes and a campus community that supports us every step of the way.
“This unprecedented run is a testament to the standard of excellence we’ve built together,” he added. “This is why I like to say, ‘We are one team, one family.’”
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Baseball
Tournament MVP Danny Jackson singled home the winning run with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the ninth as top-seeded Cortland defeated second-seeded Oswego, 4-3, in the final game of the SUNYAC Championship best-of-three series.
With the win, the team guaranteed its 33rd consecutive NCAA tournament appearance, the longest active streak for any baseball squad in Division I, II or III.
It’s baseball’s second straight conference title and 38th overall.
The Red Dragons will be the second seed at a four-team, double-elimination regional Friday through Sunday, May 15 to 17, hosted by Denison University.
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Women’s Golf
A second straight Northeast Women’s Golf Conference (NWGC) Championship was won by women’s golf, its sixth in seven years. Sophomore Gina Milazzo earned conference medalist honors.
The Red Dragons also earned the program’s fourth NCAA Division III championship berth in the past five years. They will compete at the national championship tournament May 19 to 22 at the Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert, California.
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Men’s lacrosse
Stefan Swedlund broke the Cortland program record for goals in a single season, as the team earned its place atop the SUNYAC with an 18-7 victory over Oneonta.
Face-off specialist Nicky Miltenberger was selected as Tournament MVP as the team won its second straight SUNYAC title and 30th conference title of all time.
The Red Dragons ran past Western New England, 21-5, in the NCAA Division III First Round before falling to No. 15 Bates to finish the season 15-6.
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Women’s lacrosse
A 5-0 scoring run helped the Red Dragons pull away for a 9-4 victory against top-seeded Oswego in the championship game and win its 25th SUNYAC title in program history.
Ashley Melillo was named tournament MVP. She was joined on the SUNYAC All-Tournament Team by teammates Bella Dembinski, Emma Dempsey, Brooke Elizalde, Sydney Elizalde and Lexi Caron.
The Red Dragons upset No. 19 Colby, 14-8, in the NCAA Division III First Round before falling to No. 2 Wesleyan to finish the season 15-4.
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Softball
Cortland scored twice in the fifth and three times in the sixth to break a 1-1 tie, as Gianna Endieveri and Kaitlyn Macumber combined to pitch a three-hitter and defeat Buffalo State, 6-1. It delivered the Red Dragons their second straight SUNYAC title.
It’s softball’s 18th SUNYAC title overall.
The team earned a berth into the 64-team NCAA Division III Tournament and will travel to Moravian University for a four-team, double-elimination regional Thursday through Saturday, May 14 to 16.
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Men’s outdoor track and field
The men’s outdoor track and field team won its second straight SUNYAC championship and its 16th overall as host of the 12-team conference championship meet.
Cortland won eight individual and one relay conference championship at the meet, highlighted by a record-setting performance in the hammer throw by Evan Collette. His winning throw of 60.05 meters broke both the SUNYAC championship meet record of 59.64 meters and the Cortland school record of 58.45 meters.
Individual qualifiers will compete at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships in La Crosse, Wisconsin, from May 21 to 23.
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Women’s outdoor track and field
The women’s outdoor track and field team also captured its second straight SUNYAC championship at home. It is the 19th overall title for team.
Cortland claimed four conference titles at the meet. Melissa Innocent won the 5,000 meters and Bri Ostheller was the 10,000-meter run champion. Gianna Boland won the triple jump and the foursome of Eilise Marino, Brianna Gabbidon, Sophia Hotaling and Kendall Sobczyk won the 4x100-meter relay. Sobczyk also finished third in the 100-meter dash and Gabbidon was third in the 200-meter dash.
Individual qualifiers will compete at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships in La Crosse, Wisconsin, from May 21 to 23.