Box | Updated stats
CORTLAND, N.Y. -- Sixth-ranked Cortland broke open a close game in the final 30 minutes as the Red Dragons outscored visiting Nazareth 12-4 in the second half Tuesday on the way to an 18-10 women's lacrosse victory over the Golden Flyers.

After opening with a one-goal win over William Smith last Saturday, Nazareth dropped to 1-1 overall with the non-conference loss. Cortland is 1-0.

Nazareth's only lead came on the game's first goal, by sophomore Erinn Wood, on a free-position shot less than four minutes in. The game was close, however, throughout the first half with Nazareth getting another free-position goal by senior Kristine Olijnyk with 2:03 left to knot the score at 6-6 before the half.

Cortland scored twice in the first two minutes of the second half, but Nazareth answered with goals by Olijnyk and Wood to tie the score again at 8-8.

The Red Dragons broke loose by scoring five straight goals -- three by Mary Hartzheim -- to take a 13-8 lead and Cortland was comfortably ahead the rest of the way. A goal by Nazareth sophomore Alyssa Johnston broke Cortland's string, but the Red Dragons then scored five of the game's last six goals to extend their lead.

Hartzheim finished with four goals and teammate Lindsay Abbott had four goals and four assists. Wood had three goals for Nazareth and Johnston added two goals and two assists. Nazareth's leading scorer last season, senior Michelle Cook, won five draw controls, but was held to just one assist in the scoring column. Olijynk and senior Chelsey Amidon also scored twice each.

Freshman Tara Prosak played all 60 minutes in goal and had nine saves.

Nazareth returns to action Friday for a non-conference home game against Rensselaer at 4 p.m.