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CORTLAND, N.Y. -- Host Cortland overwhelmed Nazareth 7-2 in a non-conference field hockey game on Tuesday afternoon. The 17th-ranked Red Dragons tallied four first-half goals to take control of the contest. Senior Jordan Ritchie and sophomore Maggie Muzio scored in the second half for the Golden Flyers. Freshman Mary Greco finished with 17 saves for Nazareth.

Following the loss, Nazareth slips to 3-5 overall. With the victory, Cortland improves to 6-2 overall. Since suffering back-to-back losses in mid-September, the Red Dragons have outscored their last three opponents 29-4, including Tuesday's contest against the Golden Flyers.

Cortland's potent attack toook it right to Nazareth as the Red Dragons scored three goals in a span of 10:21 midway through the first half. Abbey Wentlent broke the scoreless tie at the 17:23 mark as she converted a penalty corner opportunity into the upper right corner. Roughly three minutes later, Gabrielle Stein tallied her 12th goal of the season by scoring on a rebound, and Jillian Vogl put a long shot inside the left pipe in the 28th minute.

After Nazareth's defense blocked a penalty corner shot, the Red Dragons' Karly Vdoviak converted a loose rebound into Cortland's fourth goal. The Red Dragons finished the first half with overwhelming advantages in total shots (19-1) and penalty corners (16-0). Greco had nine saves in the first 35 minutes to prevent further damage.

Ritchie scored the Golden Flyers' first goal in the 48th-minute as she knocked in her own rebound in front of the Red Dragons' goal. It was Ritchie's third goal of the season and trimmed Nazareth's deficit to 5-1.

With 10:25 remaining in regulation, Muzio recorded the Golden Flyers' second goal of the game. After carrying the ball for about 20 yeards, Muzio blasted a shot inside the left post. Senior Sarah Wazenkewitz was credited with the assist on Muzio's fourth goal of the season. Wazenkewitz's pass was perfect as it led Muzio on a semi-breakaway to set up the scoring opportunity.

Stein added two additional goals in the second half to record her second-career hat trick for Cortland. Erin Smith converted a penalty corner opportunity to score the Red Dragons' seventh goal.

Cortland finished the game with a 40-5 advantage in total shots and a 28-1 advantage in penalty corners. Greco added eight second-half saves for the Golden Flyers. Greco received some help from her defenders. Senior Hannah Weitzel had two defensive saves, and freshman Kailee Coleman added one defensive save. Amanda Perricone started the first half for Cortland to earn the victory, but she was not required to make a save. Chelsea Palma played the second half and made two saves.

Nazareth is in action again on Saturday when the Golden Flyers host Ithaca in an Empire 8 contest at 1 p.m.